#golden age merlin

[r-ate-9]

And just like that, there he was.

It was like they were young again, Arthur the foolish prince meeting Merlin the foolish peasant.

They both grew so old, so quickly, together. Arthur: exhausted and stressed by the many betrayals and battles he's fought. Merlin: wearied and depressed by his fading hope.

When Merlin smiled so openly, genuinely, it was like no time had passed at all.

(If Arthur hadn't had many talks with Merlin in the time after legalizing magic, he'd be angry with himself for not noticing the death of Merlin's joy.)

(But Merlin had said, "Don't be sorry, Arthur. We've fought many battles, not all of them were by the other's sides. I won't hold mine against you if you don't hold yours against me.")

It would be a long time before either man could return to who they were -- Arthur would never be so trusting, Merlin would never be so peaceful.

But in this moment, with Merlin smiling, joyous, and so *so* open... Arthur clasped his forearm. "Give Hunith my greetings, and my apologies for keeping you apart for so long."

"Of course," Merlin's voice was warm. His eyes sparkled. Not an ounce of darkness shadowed his face. "I don't need much time. A week will suffice."

[irishyuri]

golden age 👑

[theroundbartable]

Every king eventually brings out their own money. The Pendragon crest is naturally on one side, but the King's face normally goes on the other.

And Arthur does that, or intends to. But when he talks to the guy who is meant to get his profile, Arthur can't help but ask what kind of other symbols he could use. At first, he asks if he could put other people on it, then he figures that it would probably be too controversial if he put a face on the coin that isn't his own.

Then he asks if it could be a bird, like his mother's sigil. Originally, he wants to honor her, but then Merlin walks in to gather his clothes and it suddenly strikes him that Merlin has done so much for him, and never gotten any reward.

And Arthur doesn't mean his servant work, Merlin is rubbish at that. But what about his council? His advice? The fact that Merlin always speaks his mind, yet always has Arthur's and Camelot's best interest at heart. The fact that Merlin always goes out of his way to fight alongside Arthur, despite not being a knight.

In an emotional outburst, (after Merlin left again) Arthur orders the coin guy to make the other side of his coin a Merlin.

Right after that, he realizes what he's done and drowns his embarrassment in wine.

A couple weeks later, the money is created and put out into the kingdom. And everyone immediately connects the dots. The symbol is only on the golden one.

The day Merlin finds out is a normal day at first. Only that everyone is staring holes into his head and whispers about him. Merlin has been send to get Arthur's new shirts and hands the tailor a golden coin. He hands it to him, then stops and stares at the crest.

....

Merlin: Arthur???? What the fuck is this?

Arthur: *sweats* your salary?

[merlingenrecs]

Peace reigns, Arthur is King, magic roams free, and Merlin is finally able to embrace his destiny in the open. Whether it’s stories set in an idyllic Camelot where old prejudices have been overcome, or simply quiet moments of happiness shared between friends, this category is all about the Golden Age being truly golden.

Today's gen fic rec theme: Happy Golden Age

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

⚬ Freedom by reelin_writer, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/35368405 summary: "The first few days after magic was legalized, Merlin passed out four times." The new Court Sorcerer is collapsing right and left. After the initial panic, the populace is unfazed. Even Gaius acts like it's normal. By the third time, Arthur's the only one that doesn't seem to think Merlin's behavior is natural. Well, if no one else will, Arthur's going to get to the bottom of it.

⚬ Other Duties as Assigned by N16, 5k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/33804967 summary: Tess finds many things about Camelot strange, but nothing quite as strange as Merlin, the king���s… Well. That’s the strange thing. Try as she may, Tess can’t figure out quite what Merlin is.

⚬  In the Light of Day by N16, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/48470635 summary: It’s not a big deal. Arthur and Merlin get attacked in the forest and they successfully defend themselves. It has happened a hundred times before. And yet this time, it’s entirely different.

⚬ Magic Wanders Free by N16, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/38988387 summary: Merlin has magic. Arthur knows that now. He can do all kinds of dramatic, extraordinary things. Perhaps even more miraculously, he can also do a million little things. And he doesn’t even realize it.

⚬ The Royal Pet by N16, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/39395520 summary: It’s very convenient having a sorcerer as Arthur’s manservant. Unless, of course, Arthur gets on said sorcerer’s nerves. Then things get… decidedly less convenient.

⚬ When the Inevitable Comes by N16, 3k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/49949851 summary: It was inevitable that one day, one of them would be left behind. Someone had to die first. They both knew that. They did not, however, agree on who that someone would be.

⚬ Coming Home by N16, 7k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/50026903 summary: When a simple errand turns into something dark and violent, Merlin returns to Camelot with wounds both inside and out. And he’s in no condition to take care of himself, whether he realizes it or not.

⚬ Lucky Roll by N16, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/29379705 summary: Months after Arthur learns about Merlin’s magic, he suddenly realizes the truth about all of those games of dice. He is not happy.

⚬ The Great Tavern Conspiracy by N16, 5k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/34503646 summary: Arthur knows that Merlin isn't at the tavern. That's just a lie Merlin used to tell, back before Arthur knew he had magic. So if Merlin isn't at the tavern all those times he disappears, where the hell is he?

⚬ Speak (With) Your Mind by s0mmerspr0ssen, 7k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/43308666 summary: When Merlin sets out to teach mindspeech to Arthur, he couldn't have known just how much it would affect the friendship between King and Court Mage.

⚬ With this I Protect (For this is My Oath) by salted_popcorn, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/52629106 summary: Yule is the time of year to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. But with the guilt that lingers and the people they lost? How does one look forward? This is a story of love, protection and promises.And fluff, of course of Merlin and his best friend's son.

⚬ Like Father, Like Son by salted_popcorn, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/40868550 summary: "Shut up, idiot. I didn't ask him to break into the vaults. It was his own idea." Merlin chuckled. "Doesn’t surprise me. You both have terrible ideas. Like father, like son." Really, the Prince need to stop following his father's advice on certain things.

⚬ Grumblings of the Head Knight by salted_popcorn, 1k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/40868700 summary: Council sessions were tedious, boring and repetitive. Everyone hated them. But no one had figured out it was Sir Leon's revenge plan. Oh, and Merlin had burned down half of the castle. Leon did not want to deal with things anymore.

⚬ Greet The Dawn by Flight_of_Fantasy, 6k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/43201323 summary: Merlin is terribly nervous about the transition from servant to court sorcerer, and Gwen knows a thing or two about transitioning from a servant to a member of the court. Luckily, she has a remedy. She began it when she became Queen, and she's more than happy to share her secret with Merlin.

[nina-scribbles]

I've been reading a lot of Golden-Era, everyone-lives-nobody-dies au's, so here's my design for Morgana!

[justaz]

merlin dashes into the throne room and finds arthur with his sword poised above his father’s chest and simply reacts. his magic lashes out and wraps around arthur, freezing him and tugging him back away from his father. arthur and uther both turn their gazes toward merlin (uther turns his head while arthur peers out of the corner of his eye) who stands with his arms outstretched and his eyes gold. now exposed, merlin sort of panics and says the first thing that comes to mind, barely able to think of some lie to explain it all away, and says he won’t let arthur do it. his magic loosens around arthur so he is able to move his body though his feet won’t budge from their spot. similarly, uther can’t stand from his throne. arthur insists he wants uther dead (too enraged to even bother addressing merlin’s magic), uther spits about how morgause and merlin are manipulating arthur and warping his mind, and merlin is pleading with arthur to calm down and think things through.

[wizardmervin]

[sneakyboymerlin]

Fandom will be like “Arthur wouldn’t have been so bigoted if it wasn’t for [that EVIL Merlin trying to fulfill the prophecies through Arthur to create a long-lasting future for his kin. oh and Uther] the actions of everyone else around him” bro it doesn’t sound like much accountability is being held for one’s own actions :/ bro

[bethanyeliseart]

guinevere pendragon — art nouveau

[rainbowsmagicandshit]

After Morgana’s death, her spirit is sent to a council in Avalon/before the gods/something and they send her back in time to when Merlin first arrived in Camelot with the order that she has to help arrange the Golden Age into happening. They might show her how awful the world will turn out without the Golden Age happening then or they might threaten her with like sending her to Hell or their equivalent of it. Idk, but she ends up back in time, hating Merlin for what he did to her and holding a grudge for both Arthur and Uther. She can’t act completely ooc or the gods/alavon council will punish her, so she’s stuck pretending to be season 1 Morgana. While she does have orders to help Merlin and Arthur, she can’t stand it and at first tries to see if she can actually sabotage them secretly and bring about the Golden Age herself and be Queen of Camelot. Merlin thwarts every single one of her plans. None of them lead back to her, so Merlin doesn’t know what she’s doing and still thinks she’s oblivious to her magic. Even though she has future and secret knowledge, Merlin is really good at what he does and she’s endlessly frustrated by it. A lot of secret assassination attempts by her. Eventually she sees that Arthur is better than Uther and needs to be the one to rule Camelot as the Once And Future King, so she decides to stop her sabotage and help them instead like she was supposed to from the start.

When the Golden Age does come and Arthur is king, whenever they speak of the Old Religion Gods/Avalon Council, Morgana is always like “Uhhgg. Those bastards…🙄🙄😒😒” but she still can’t tell anyone one about the time travel and her trial with them.

[idkaguyorsomething]

me searching through bbc merlin fanart and fics for the heart of the show.

(IMAGE ID: Doomguy in a red area fighting off hordes of monsters, captioned “WHERE IS GUINEVERE”)

[heeheeehaw]

Au where merlin, after waiting for the 1,500 years, decided to attempt to bring about Albions greatest need himself and becomes a villain to bring back arthur. It works but instead of having a friend to guide him through this new world he has to figure it out himself while working to take down the one person he thought he could still truly trust. Merlin goes even more insane having to watch and even fight against arthur, he has him back but he doesn't truly have him there. In the end arthur can't kill merlin and instead reaches out to him, tells him he understands and it's time to put an end to this and merlin finally gives up. He's tired and he wants arthur back, really back.

[followtheechoes]

imagining a bbc merlin au where gwen is the one destined to return magic to the land and merlin has a great time hanging out with and protecting her. the one downside is that he has to keep her loser future husband from getting killed so he can eventually marry her and make her queen

[merlingenrecs]

Even in the brightness of a new era, the shadows of the past can linger. Whether it’s Arthur grappling with his father’s legacy or Merlin healing from years of secrecy, this category is for stories where the Golden Age shines, but not without moments of pain, growth, and recovery.

Today's gen fic rec theme: Golden Age With Scars

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

⚬ The Faceless Curse by reelin_writer, 5k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/44164261 summary: Two years into the Golden Age, Camelot is a peaceful and prosperous kingdom. But safety is never a surety. When a cursed letter unleashes gruesome creatures intent on claiming Arthur’s soul, it’s clear the stakes may be higher than ever. Merlin can hold nothing back—not even his own life—if he wants Arthur to survive.

⚬  Dragonfire Wrapped in a Skin of Shadows by N16, 7k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/38817756 summary: Arthur's court sorcerer is very efficient at taking care of problems. Arthur just wishes he didn't have such a loose definition of "problems." And that his solutions weren't quite so extreme. And yet, how can Arthur bring himself to stop him? It is Arthur's fault, after all.

⚬ Inescapable by s0mmerspr0ssen, 8k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/49944964 summary: Arthur asks Merlin to enchant a dungeon cell so that no sorcerer may escape it. Merlin does – and soon finds himself plagued by guilt...

⚬ The Fragile Road by N16, 18k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/41859840 summary: Magic is legal, Merlin’s power is no longer a secret, and the Golden Age is in sight. Merlin should feel safe. But he knows his safety – and Arthur’s new attitude – are both still all-too-fragile. And even though he trusts Arthur with his life, some habits are hard to break. Because Merlin is Emrys, and he understands what Arthur doesn’t: if they’re to build the world they dream of, Emrys must not fail.

⚬ A Fierce and Finite Power by N16, 5k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/38486071 summary: In the golden age of Albion, Merlin's beloved dragons hatch and grow and thrive in Camelot. Right up until they don't. And now Merlin realizes that even with the full strength of his magic unhindered by secrets, there are some things even he can't control.

⚬ The Things I’ve Done by s0mmerspr0ssen, 12k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/48818632 summary: When Arthur learns more about the meaning behind Emrys, the past comes back to haunt him.

⚬ The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart) by salted_popcorn, 4k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/40305519 summary: When Arthur visited Merlin who had locked himself up in his Workshop for three days in a self imposed isolation, he did not expect to be greeted by a sea of crimson flowers. When he wandered in further, these flowers were intertwined with raspberries. Merlin on the other hand had conjured strawberries, and a bittersweet smile.

⚬ monstrum belli by s0mmerspr0ssen, 1k, rated T https://archiveofourown.org/works/43276908 summary: When the magic of Albion lashes out during battle to protect King Arthur, fearful eyes turn on Merlin.

[emrys-merlin]

Ok, but...was there not a single person in the writers' room who said "Wait. Wait. We didn't FINISH OUR STORY. WE CAN'T KILL ARTHUR YET"

No? Ok.

[merlinemrys]

i’m actually Very interested in a pre-canon fic about life pre-purge esp for like uther and ygraine. it’s just so hard for me to conceptualise a young king uther whose kingdom had magic running through its very soil. he’s brash, arrogant, too full of hard love, but still a young man—still happy. or ygraine who we’ve never seen outside the bounds of Dead Mother. and what about the royals’ best friend, nimueh who loved them so much to grant them a baby knowing that magic will take a life away. and what of balinor? was he their friend too? did he and uther make jokes about the pendragon name? did uther ever joke around and ask if balinor should ever take a wife? i want to see their camelot. bright with promise, hiding shadows within.