#mercalot

[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

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

any fluffy fic recs? i'm really anxious and need it :(

(My Masterlist)

FIRST OFF!!! UPDATE!!! Just as I started to get inspiration and motivation to write again, my laptop broke. It was old and I should've seen it coming, but I didn't, and lost a bunch of work, and had to spend a ton of money on a new one. HOWEVER I now HAVE that new laptop and it's touchscreen with a 360 degree hinge and I love it and I'm BACK babeeeey!!!

Second off!! Sorry it took me so long to reply anon, for the reasons above, but let's get going on those fluffy recs!!

Here's a couple that I've written:

A Slight Embarrassing Exposure🧡(Around 2k. Arthur walks in on a previously kept secret, and is rather pleased about it. Lots of teasing occurs, but it’s all very soft and loving. Implied but no explicit sexual content. Merleon :D) 

Old Friends🧡💙(Morgana and Elyan already know)(Around 4.2k. When Arthur, (good) Morgana, Merlin, and Gwen head back to rescue Gwen’s brother, they all discover a little more about Merlin’s past. Arthur is a little horrified, Gwen is annoyed and then uncomfortable and then fond, and Morgana thinks the whole thing is rather funny. Fluffy Merlyan Reunion :D)

The Never Ending Peace💙(Around 2.4k. The Gang gathers to celebrate one year since magic was legalised. This is nothing but softness and fluff, Merlin sings really well. Merleon and Arwen😄)

Visiting the Druids💙(around 5k. Arthur sees Merlin in Emrys-Mode for the first time, and immediately falls in love. Happy Merthur Ending :))

And here's a few of my Rec List:

5 times Merlin helped Leon through a nightmare (+1 time Leon helped Merlin through his own) OK so I absolutely ADORE this, it's one of my all time favourite BBC Merlin fics, and it's about the growing friendship between Leon and Merlin. There are no romantic ships at the forefront of this, but it's just written really beautifully and I really really Love it (around 9k)

Into the Stars MERTHUR!! Arthur is pining and very stupid, so when he finds out that Merlin loves the stars, he spends HOURS teaching himself about them, so he has something to talk to Merlin about, instead of just.... telling him how he feels. I love this, it's so cute (almost 5k)

A Dragon’s Treasure MERTHUR!!! Super cute. Becoming Dragon Lord has some physical AND mental side-effects, Merlin sorta loves it, sorta hates it. I LOVE this one and it’s just really funny and sweet and cool (around 5k)

Knit up your cloak about you MERLIN/LEON!! It's a favourite rare-pair of mine. All from Arthur's perspective. He is struggling as a new King, and wants to bring his two closest friends and advisors together, because he thinks the three of them could do astounding things if they just start to understand each other properly. He finds he doesn't actually have to put that much work in as he watches their relationship develop. It's just really well written and I love it (around 6.7k)

The Court Sorcerer's New Clothes MERTHUR!! Merlin likes to embroider to de-stress and Arthur discovers this. It's just really sweet🥺 (around 2.1k)

Over, Under, Around Through the Heart MERWAINE!! Braiding hair is a courting ritual in Ealdor. Gwaine has no idea about that when Merlin starts braiding his hair constantly, and frankly, Merlin wants it to stay that way so he can indulge in his little harmless fantasy. Except of course Gwaine figures it out. It's so cute and well written I'm in love with this (almost 5k)

You Love Me background Merwaine, but mostly focused on Elyan and Gwaine's friendship. ADHD Gwaine struggles with low self esteem and Elyan has a few things to say about that. I love it, it's so soft and sweet and wonderful (around 1.2k)

Blackberries, Griffins and a Kiss For You MERCALOT!! Mostly from Gwaine’s point of view. A few of the knights are away and Lance is missing Merlin. Gwaine tries to figure out what the inside joke involving Griffins is, but ultimately leaves them to it and is happy for his besties. It’s so cute. It’s so sweet. Lots of fluff, no dramatics, just cuteness (around 2.5k)

A Father's Wisdom MERTHUR!!! VERY ooc Uther, in which The King can tell immediately that Merlin is Balinor’s son, but assigns him to Arthur anyway. He finds out about their secret relationship and is awkwardly, endearingly supportive, despite being a little befuddled. Look, I hate Uther just as much as the next BBCM fan... but this is amazing. (around 2.1k)

For Now and Always MERWAINE!! Gwaine panics when Merlin is momentarily lost. Merlin makes a joke about marriage, and Gwaine suddenly finds himself completely unafraid of committing himself to someone for the long-term, so proposes on the spot. Straight up fluff. So sweet. So wholesome (around 1k)

Friendship Merlin and Leon friendship. Merlin is struggling to recover after the Lamia, but Arthur forces him and Leon to take a four day trip into the woods so Merlin can teach Leon about herbs and healing. Leon forces a conversation because Merlin is acting odd and it’s just very🥺(around 3.2k)

And for the ULTIMATE FLUFF (Also part of my normal Rec List but I thought it deserved special recognition in the Fluff department):

tell me what it’s like to conquer, tell me what it’s like to burn MERTHUR!! Slow-burn, what if Merlin and Arthur actually had run away together? They get on horses and ride as fast as they can for as long as they can. There’s only so long you can live with the other half of your soul before you fall in love. DOMESTICE BLISS!! THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS EVER!!! (around 2.8k)

I hope this is enough for you anon!! These aren't all the fluffy ones on my Rec List by a LONG shot, but last time I checked I think there were over a hundred fics on there so😅. If you need more, take a browse, or ask me for specific recs :D

[onegirlintheback]

Some moodboards I made for a Merlin Fic I am planning on writing. It's a Always a Girl! Merlin fic Kid Fic with the main pairing being Merlin/Leon Merlin /Lancelot Merlin & Arthur

With a past relationship of Balinor/Ygrain Balinor/Tristan Dubois

I know that's a completely different character in the show but she works so well as Young Ygraine.

Pictures include

Ben Barnes as Young Balinor

Jessica Brown Findlay as Merlin

Timothee Chalamet as Tristan Dubois (OC) Bradley James as Tristan Dubois and Arthur

(In this fic Mordred stays in Camelot posing as Merlin's younger brother)

[theoldgvard]

my issue with bbc merlin is that merlin can literally be shipped with anyone and it will be the best thing to ever exist so i can never decide which i prefer

merlin and arthur? two sides of the same coin literally soulmates

merlin and morgana? magic lovers to enemies the potential for angst is ENDLESS

merlin and lancelot? the only person who sees merlin for who he is, also chaos enabler

merlin and gwaine? merlin and gwen? merlin and will? merlin and freya? the list goes on and on

the entirety of camelot is in love with one (1) magic twink and i dont blame them

[lovzart]

I will never get over how robbed we were of Lancelot content in BBC Merlin… like we all thought of Gwaine as the chaotic best friend but no it was 100% Lancelot. He would’ve sassed the dragon out for giving Merlin anxiety and chaos enabled Merlin into doing a bunch of magical pranks on the other knights.

[onegirlintheback]

Do any of you have some good headcannons/ ideas for superstitions about twins in the Old Religion?

Its a Fem!Merlin fic, she gives birth to twins (G/B).

And it's considered a blessing that the girl was born first. But I want to expand on that. If any of you have ideas for superstitions or beliefs the Druids might have I would appreciate it.

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Headcannon promt

When they propose to their significant other how would they do it ? Who in the pairing would propose? Any pairings you would like although I would like at least one Merlin/Arthur.

(Headcanon Masterlist) (Full Masterlist)

These two are along the same lines, so I shall combine them!!! These are very cute, anons, thank you :D

There’s... quite a lot under the cut, gang :P

Merthur - Arthur proposes, but Merlin knows something is coming from the very second Arthur decides he’s going to do it. They’re at a point in their relationship where they tell each other everything, so Arthur suddenly: 1) Hiding his insecurities (that Merlin will say no) 2) Is making excursions and not taking Merlin with him, or even telling him where he’s going/obviously lying about where he’s going (to see Hunith and the Druids/buy a ring/scout out where he wants to do it) 3) Is having hushed conversations with all their shared friends (asking for opinions/advice/favours) 4) Is not only ok with, but actively encouraging Merlin to spend loads of time fucking about with Gwaine and Lance and Elyan (so he can sneak off to plan)... All Of It Is Sus. He figures it out within a week. But mainly because, even after all that, Arthur leaves a letter from the jeweller on his desk, and then doesn’t notice when Merlin tidies it away for him. They definitely write their own vows, and they’re all about destiny and golden futures and fate and the stars. Everyone cries. Everyone.

Arwen - Very similar to Merthur, in that Arthur proposes and it’s very obvious. But she figures it out properly when she corners Leon and Elyan and forces them to tell her what’s up. She may or may not play up the tears deliberately to guilt them into telling her, and they’re so worried about her being overwhelmed or scared of saying no or being unprepared for marriage that they cave and tell her pretty quickly. She gets this smug smile on her face, wipes away the tears, and says “Hmm. I thought so. Good,” and then leaves them flabbergasted. No one ever finds out about this, and Arthur thinks he surprised her with it up until the day he dies (of old age, obviously). They use the traditional vows, but add a line or two of their own in at the end, just to make it a bit personal. Merlin and Leon cry. Elyan tries to pretend he’s not crying, but he is.

Mergwen - Gwen proposes, but it’s spur of the moment. Well, sort of. She’d been hinting at Merlin about marriage for a couple weeks, after coming to the conclusion very suddenly one evening (she had been reading, Merlin had been muttering angrily to himself whilst mixing some tincture or other for the physician’s chambers) that she wanted to marry this man. So it’s just sort of on her mind. Then one day, it’s sunny, and warm, and they’ve taken a picnic out to a meadow that it literally FULL of wild flowers and butterflies and bees. They’ve been there for hours, talking and laughing and eating good food and snogging a bit, and there’s a comfortable lull in the conversation. He’s looking out across the field, and she’s looking at his smile, and she just... asks. Very bluntly, “Marry me.” . He sort of laughs and snorts and shakes his head and says “Yeah, sure.” but Gwen takes his hand and he finally looks at her and she’s serious and she says it again, and Merlin has a blushing beau moment all 😳 but then, of course, says yes, of course he’ll marry her, consider them officially engaged. They go ring shopping together the next day, and it’s a very short engagement, with little fuss and planning before they get married. They write their own vows, and they’re short and sweet, about best friends and bonds stronger than anything and a soft, sunny, life together, full of flowers and laughter. Once again, everyone cries.

Morgwen - Morgana proposes for sure, and it’s so sweet and soft and lovely and awkward; she’s nervous around Gwen for the first time in her life. They’re in Morgana’s chambers, because Morgana didn’t want Gwen to suspect, and didn’t want it to be some public spectacle. She starts rambling, but after a minute of so, Gwen just kisses her into shutting up, before pulling back and smiling softly and so quietly saying “yes, you silly woman.”. They fight over who gets Merlin in the ceremony, and as a compromise, he walks both of them down the aisle at the same time, and hands each other their rings. Arthur officiates of course, as much as Morgana joked about giving him a seat in the back row, she desperately wants her brother right there with her when it happens. They write their own vows, and though they’re pretty short, they’re very sweet, all about facing the darkness, and embracing the light, together, no matter what.

Mergana - To be perfectly honest, either one of them could propose, it depends on the circumstances. If Merlin is still a servant, or it’s super early on after he’s become Court Sorcerer, then Morgana proposes. OR she tells Merlin it’s ok, he’s allowed to propose *hint hint*. If Merlin is actually respected in court and the relationship is widely known and approved of, then Merlin proposes on his own. Together, they’re pretty private people, so they use traditional vows, maybe with one line at the beginning or end that’s a touch personal, maybe about their magic being entwined forever or something. BUT when they’re alone later on, they stand in fron of the hearth in their chambers and give each other their own vows, written by them (with the help of Gwen on both sides lol). They’re SUPER emotional, and they both cry, and it’s so ridiculously soppy. Mainly because after everything, this is... a happy ending? An actually happy ending? Neither of them ever though they would get that, and here they are, reading their vows to each other, in their own room, in their accepting Kingdom, after getting married in front of all their friends and family, who knew about their magic.

Merwaine - Gwaine proposes. And it’s a complete shock to everyone, including Gwaine; he’d only figured out he’d wanted to do it like... thirty seconds prior. When the thought first pops into his head, it goes something like this: “Oh my God, I want to marry this man. Pfft, marriage? Gross. I’m not going to be here or with him forever. Fuck. Yes I am, I could never leave him ever. Ok. Ok ok. Let’s wait, see how long this lasts, figure out Merlin’s feelings, maybe he’s not ready for marriage yet?? He’s never mentioned it?? In all the time we’ve been courting?? Hmm. Ok. Let’s wait it out.” Then Merlin does something cute, like smile, and Gwaine just says “Marry me?” and everything stops and he goes bright red and Merlin is obviously kinda... bummed? When he sees how uncomfortable Gwaine is?? When he sees that Gwaine didn’t mean it?? And Gwaine has that whole thought process again but very quickly goes fuck it and doubles down until Merlin says yes with a grin. The moment in promptly ruined by Arthur going “...Now then,” because they were in the middle of a hunt or patrol or worse, a meeting. They do traditional vows, upon Gwaine’s request, but he painstakingly writes Merlin a letter explaining all his worries and feelings and how much Merlin means to him. Just because he’s not great at vocalising that sort of stuff, and he also... doesn’t think it should be for anyone else’s ears anyway.

Arwaine - Arthur proposes, but Gwaine says no, and Arthur is heartbroken, until Gwaine explains that yes, he wants to marry Arthur one day, he’s just not quite ready yet; he’s scared about being coronated, about being Prince Consort/King. He’s just worried about the way things will change, and Arthur understands, even though he’s still a little upset. They make a pact that Gwaine will do the proposal, when he’s ready, and in the mean time they make their courtship slightly more public, and give Gwaine more responsibilities and exposure, bit by bit, until he feels more secure in it all. In the end, it’s less than a year until he pops the question, and Arthur is shocked into tears because he thought it would be five years at least before Gwaine decided he was ready, and there he is, down on one knee.

Arthurlot - Arthur proposes, only because no matter how much he tries to convince him, Lance is still... unsure about his worth stood next to a King. It’s the only rocky part of their relationship, that Lancelot almost always defers to Arthur because he’s The King, and he’s a loyal knight, when they should be equal partners in everything. Lance says yes, then freaks out the night before the wedding, so much so that Merlin AND Percival are called to calm him the fuck down. Merlin gets frustrated (in a loving way) easily when it comes to Lance not believing in himself, so he has to leave the pep talk to Percy, and it’s all “You love him, Arthur, not King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. And he loves you, Lance, not Sir Lancelot DuLac of Frankia, so take a breath, and marry him.” Merlin adds on a helpful “you dolt.” to the end of course. The use traditional vows, but afterwards Lance like... pours his heart out in private and Arthur is absolutely speechless and just holds him and they both cry a little and it’s all very ridiculous and soppy but. So so somft.

Mercalot - Lancelot proposes, and it’s really traditional and lovely and he forced all the gang to help him with the planning and execution. Though truthfully, they were all super willing; willingness however, does NOT equal helpfulness, and Gwen, Leon, and Morgana were basically the only ones who were any use. He takes the two of them out to a lovely meadow just below a waterfall in the height of Spring for a picnic. He hides the ring in his pocket until after they’ve eaten lovely food, courtesy of Gwen sweet talking the cook, and expensive booze, courtesy of Arthur being bullied persuaded by Leon. It’s so perfect and fairytale, and it’s everything Lancelot wanted Merlin to have in life, Merlin who says yes, of course. They write their own vows. They’re not too long, but they aren’t short either, and they’re so fucking sappy. E V E R Y O N E cries, big time, even the guards in the room who don’t really know either of them that well. The vows are all about coincidental meetings vs fate, and always having each other’s backs and following each other to the edge of the Earth and unending loyalty.

Merleon - Leon proposes, because he’s the more traditional. Everything about it is traditional: he asks Hunith’s permission, he asks Arthur’s permission (with the understanding that he’d be pissed if Arthur says no), he lays out a lovely dinner with candles and good food and flowers, he gets down on one knee. Merlin thinks the whole thing is very cute, but when it comes to courting stuff, Leon is very predictable, so he knew exactly what was coming the moment Leon requested he dress nicely for a normal private dinner. They also use traditional vows, but Leon goes off piece at the end, just to get some more emotions off his chest. It’s only a line or two, but it’s so incredibly important to Merlin, so he does it too and it’s very emotional.

Merlyan - Elyan asks, but it’s off the cuff and a sort of “Run away and marry me” sorta thing, but the emphasis is on the running away bit, and Merlin is all “I... would love nothing more, but I can’t.” and Elyan already knew that, he knew that, but he’s still bummed, ya know?? But then a few months pass, and Merlin is still crazy busy trying to protect Arthur and Camelot from the shadows, and Elyan can do nothing more than watch from the side-lines and patch him up when he gets home, knowing that he can’t get Merlin to leave and go adventuring somewhere safe. He proposes again, but it’s “Let me stay here with you, and let me marry you.” and Merlin... he knows the meaning of that. He knows that, whilst Elyan will always come back to Camelot, that Camelot is still his home, he craves the world, he craves the thrill of not knowing where he’s going next. And Elyan asking if he can stay right here as part of his proposal... Merlin knows he means it. They write their own vows for the wedding, but they’re fairly simple, just a few lines about how life is always an adventure as long as they’re together, and how they’ll always have each others’ backs, no matter what. Gwen friggin’ sobs. As does Gwaine.

Gwencalot - Either to be honest. If Lancelot proposes, it’s super traditional, like Merleon, and if Gwen proposes, it’s because she’s been hinting about marriage for months and either Lance doesn’t get the hint or can’t get the nerve up, so she just does it off the cuff. Either way, it’s very emotional and heartfelt and lovely, and they both give each other little speeches. They do traditional vows at the actual ceremony, but give each other more little speeches later on in private.

~

I hope this please you anons!! I enjoyed writing these so much :D

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

IDEAS THAT ARE BOUNCING AROUND IN MY HEAD ATM:

This is the The New List!! I’ve kept the original List post, but deleted everything on it other than a Link here, so hopefully that should stop the confusion :D

I’ve deleted all of the old votes in my inbox, because the prompts will have new numbers, so start sending in votes again pls lads!!

I am keeping a list of no-longer considered prompts in my drafts, just in case I change my mind at some point :)

My Masterlist!

Freylin fic!! Will probably be a 5+1 fic or something similar, just Freya being generally badass and saving the day and Merlin standing back going “That’s my fucking wife!! Go wife, go!”. Will almost certainly include The Gang finding out that Merlin is consort to a Goddess and going 😮 (Funny, fluffy, maybe a touch of angst (when talking about how Freya is like… technically dead), but mostly just happy cutesy).

Some sort of sickfic, but I’m not sure yet. Apparently both my followers and I like traumatised/miserable Merlin and the Gang being protective😅😁 (angsty but with a happy ending in all likelihood). I GOT SENT AN IDEA FOR THIS!! Merlin accidentally gets cursed into not being able to eat so basically begins to waste away until the Gang notice. LOTS of angst, with an eventual immortality/magic reveal ending, that is also happy and fluffy and Merthur-y. (More detailed outline Here!)

Hunith shows up in Camelot crying and covered in blood. A raid happened in Ealdor (for like the first time in decades, because it’s so far away from the Essetirian Capital), but the guards saw Merlin doing magic and took him. Arthur walks in on the initial conversation, sees Hunith all bloody and crying and assumes the worst. Hunith begs Gaius to just tell him the truth (about Merlin’s magic). A rescue mission is mounted, lots of torture and blood and super angsty, but with a happy/hopeful ending.

Merlin gets lost in the woods and accidentally (and unknowingly) convinces a bunch of hunters that he’s a Fae. Funny hijinks and oblivious Merlin and cute animals!! Probably short and crack-y.

Part 3 of The Long Lost Prince AU, a 5/10 years later sort of thing just to finish things off.

Part 2 of Another Warlock?. The other knights are getting jealous because since when have Merlin and Leon been this close?? Magic is eventually legalised and the two of them have to come out with the truth. (Likely Merleon)

Merlyan reunion!! In which they already knew each other (very well) from years ago, and the others (especially Gwen) are baffled. Merlin and Elyan are entirely oblivious to everyone’s odd looks because they’re so wrapped up in catching up with each other and falling in love all over again. (COMPLETED)

Merlin knows, and is odd friends with his Grim Reaper, on account of how often he dies. She shows up early and Merlin is confused, but invites her along on whatever stupid quest the gang are out on. Merlin dies, Reaper reaps, the gang are terrified and confused except Lancelot who like… awkwardly nods at her as she wonders off with Merlin’s soul, saying “I’ll be back in a few hours.” Cue Immortal and subsequent magic reveal (more detailed outline here!)

Merlin figures out how he can turn Aithusa into a human toddler, and brings her to Camelot. He makes up some excuse about her being an orphan from Ealdor and not having the heart to leave her alone because no one in the village would really be able to care for her. Cue dragon-in-disguise shenanigans, and Merlin and Lancelot being dads. The knights fighting over who gets to be the favourite uncle. Lots of fluff (more detailed outline here!)

Arthur discovers Kilgharrah as a child, and the dragon becomes awkwardly fond (though he would NEVER admit it) of this incredibly lonely child and teaches him about the world. Several years later, Arthur and Merlin re-enact the Spiderman meme when they sneak down to Kilgharrah’s cave at the same time (more detailed outline here!)

Arthur is cursed into a child. Maybe a tad of angst in relation to child abuse, but mostly just awkward fluff. Merlin being the only one little Arthur will listen to, Arthur just generally being an adorable toddler, who 100% considers making it illegal for it ever to be brought up again when he turns back because of how embarrassed he is (more detailed outline here!)

Post magic reveal, Mordred and Merlin stop using Glamours to cover huge Druidic tattoos all over their torsos. They appear naturally on Warlocks and Witches as they hone their magic (though it is possible to stop it) and they see no point in hiding them now that magic is legal. Maybe Leon has a little cup of life somewhere on him, and Elyan has a memorial tree sort of thing, as small marks to the magic that had touched them? (more detailed outline here!)

Very OOC Uther enlisting Morgana’s help to get his dumbass kid to ask out his dumbass manservant because the pining is ridiculous and unbearable and distracting during meetings/training/tournaments/literally all of the time (more detailed outline here!) (Part 1 is COMPLETED, Part  2(final part) is COMPLETED)

5+1 of Arthur realising that his life got WAY easier when Merlin arrived (on account of him preventing most assassination attempts before they even reach the city, and organise Arthur’s entire life). Arthur follows him when he sneaks off and everything is revealed (more detailed outline here!) (COMPLETED)

Merlin gets zapped back in time by some sort of magical artefact. Cue angst of not knowing if this whole thing was a hallucination/illusion, or if it was actually real. Does he throw himself into making different choices and fixing things? Or does he throw himself into finding a way back to his original time, where his friends might still need help? I’m thinking LOTS of angst🤔 (more detailed outline here!)

Only just post-magic reveal, everyone is still suspicious of Merlin. The gang gets kidnapped or something and Merlin saves them without his magic, explaining that he taught himself to fight because he knew people (his friends specifically) would turn against him because of his magic, and he needed another way of defending himself. Everyone feels guilty, happy ending. (More detailed outline here!)

Leon knows about Merlin’s magic, and subtly helps from the side lines thinking that Arthur already knows (he doesn’t). Merlin is entirely oblivious until right at the end where everyone just goes😮 (more detailed outline here!)

Dragon Lord and Magic reveal where the gang get kidnapped, and Merlin’s protective Dragon side shows itself in a rather aggressive way. (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin sneaks out of the city to meet with Morgana just after she’s gone evil. He convinces her (and Morgause) to run away with him to set up their own safe, magical Kingdom in the now empty Perilous Lands. Arthur of course has followed him out and overhears this conversation, but doesn’t say anything when Merlin “goes missing”. The gang finally come to find him in the perilous lands a year or so later, and he’s a BAMF King who rips into Arthur. Slightly angst I suppose, but also satisfying.

Reincarnation story, except when Merlin sees everyone dripping wet and confused in his front garden, he goes a bit nutso, and is convinced he’s hallucinating (again). He calls Mordred panicking, who was only 5 minutes away from home anyway (NOT Merdred), who arrives and goes “Oh shit. Merlin they’re real and I need to you tell them not to kill me real quick because they don’t look all that happy my guy”. (Mordred had been enchanted by Kara and Morgana, and is also immortal).

FIGHT CLUB MERLIN!!!! Gwaine convinces the knights that they should spend an evening at a (perfectly legal) fighting ring, (though he keeps where exactly they’re going a secret until they get there) for funsies, and everyone is shocked as HELL to see Merlin taking part (after previously stating he can’t come to whatever shenanigan Gwaine has planned, because he’s busy running errands for Gaius). He kicks ASS and lies about it the next day. No one knows quite what to do about it. FUNNY!!! (COMPLETED).

Arthur comes back from a hunt and has to tell everyone that they were ambushed by bandits, and Merlin didn’t make it. No one questions his odd behaviour because they figure he’s just grieving, UNTIL Merlin’s Death Echo (stuck in one emotion, can’t move on due to a traumatising death) shows up in the throne room and reveals to everyone that Arthur killed him. Merlin, who is immortal, shows up to destroy the Echo and take back that part of his soul, but the damage is already done, everyone knows what Arthur did. (COMPLETED!! IT’S SO ANGSTY!!!)

Merlin, at his sorcery trial, is possessed by a pretty scary God (Judge, Jury, Executioner style) who turns the trial around to be on Uther and Arthur. Uther gets sentenced to like... almost immediate death, and Arthur is given a chance, before the God vacates and Merlin goes😯

Druid festival post ban repeal, but pre reveal. The gang are invited, and the Druids sing a bunch of songs that various magical members of the gang slowly join in on, thereby revealing their magic. Cute and musical and fluffy!!

Arthur/Gwaine coordinated by a sneaky Merlin. The poetic irony of Gwaine falling in love with not only a Noble, but a King. And Arthur definitely needs some more fun chaos in his life, as opposed to life-threatening chaos. The others watch on in befuddlement at Merlin’s plan unfurls.

Arthur takes Merlin and a big group of knights into the woods for tracking and capture training. Meaning he gives Merlin an hour’s head start and whoever brings him back first wins. Except Merlin is sneaky, circles back to the camp, falls asleep in a tree, and only comes down when everyone is pacing around the camp, worried about where Merlin might’ve got to. Arthur is grumpy because... there wasn’t even supposed to be an option for Merlin winning, and he managed it anyway.

Arthur thinks he isn’t good enough for Merlin, with an Arthur scar reveal. He’s also worrying about Merlin leaving post magic reveal, to go to better lands, so tries various things to get him to stay (learning magic himself, forcing a title on him, etc). Merlin tells him to cut it out, he’s not going anywhere. Fluffy Merthur ending :)

Merlin and George (who knows about Merlin’s magic) are besties and it confuses Arthur to no end. Also makes him jealous, not that he’d ever admit that. (Merlin is like the bouncy puppy jumping circles around George, who is the mature, serious, kinda scary Big Dog. Though Merlin can definitely be scary as well, and no one knows that better than George.) (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin sees the magical community in discord, and works to bring them all (Druids, Catha, priests/priestesses, general sorcerers, etc) together. He’s sort of... wordlessly made their King, and no one tells Merlin this until the worst possible moment. (More detailed outline here!)

Balinor stayed in Ealdor, so the truth is revealed when Arthur and Merlin go hunting for the Dragon Lord (because Arthur has briefly met Merlin’s father before). Balinor Lives AU :) (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin starts making himself invisible to help out more easily when the gang gets attacked. Jokes and rumours start flying around about the ghost that’s protecting Arthur. Lance and Mordred think it’s hilarious and only encourage it, Merlin is really weirded out by it. (More detailed outline here!)

Hunith as an incredibly abusive mother AU!! The gang are talking about their childhoods, and Merlin avoids the questions because “ah, my childhood was kind of a bummer, I don’t wanna bring the mood down”. This is post magical reveal, and they eventually get Merlin to talk about some of the things that happened. The others are understandably horrified, cue everyone feeling SUPER guilty because they had all previously really loved Hunith, and hadn’t picked up on how subdued and tense Merlin is around her. (More detailed outline here!) (COMPLETED)

Lots of changing curses (sex change/body swaps/age changes). Morgana, Gwen, and Gaius think it’s hilarious, the knights and Merlin do NOT. (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin has amnesia, and has no idea who he is or who anyone else is either. He’s still sort of got that mindset of “don’t trust anyone” in his head, so he just... doesn’t tell anyone. He relies on muscle memory and context clues to get by until the others figure out that... whatever this thing is, it isn’t the real Merlin. It is, Merlin just doesn’t know what that means. Kinda angsty but happy ending :)

Merlin regularly shapeshifts to protect Arthur/his friends, when he isn’t allowed to go with them for whatever reason. Rumours about Camelot’s albino protectors (a pure white stag, hare, fox, wolf, hawk, etc) start spreading, and it’s considered bad luck to try and hunt them. They always get a respectful nod from knights, and no one figures it out until years after the reveal. (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin, Mordred, and Morgana are the ultimate petty magical trio, who, both before and after the ban repeal, use their magic to fuck with people they don’t like. Pretty hefty Merleon because I like the idea of Leon just having to resign himself to this happening, whether he likes it or not. (More detailed outline here!) (COMPLETED)

Merlin is possessed by a spirit (it’s not good, not evil, just sorta... there), who hangs around in Merlin’s head. He doesn’t control Merlin or anything, just pokes around in his mind and goes “holy shit bro... you live like this?” and keeps tryna convince Merlin to demand more self respect and do things for himself every one in a while. There’s a big kerfuffle about getting it out of Merlin’s head, but the two of them are actually kind of fond of each other and don’t want to separate. (More detailed outline here!)

Soulmate AU where soulmates share skills to a slightly lesser extent. Arthur can do a little sorcery (which he has to hide from EVERYONE) and is really good at sneaking around (and climbing trees, weirdly enough) and Merlin is decent enough with a sword (not that he found that out until years later) and can read and write, despite never being taught. (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin has a screaming-crying-magical explosion breakdown in the woods after ten years of his destiny not going anywhere. The gang had followed him out and see this, unknown to Merlin. Kilgharrah arrives to comfort him and offers to take Merlin far away, to forget all about Arthur and Camelot and destiny, and Merlin all but agrees. Kilgharrah puts Merlin to sleep and then rips into the gang, and tells them that whether Merlin stays or goes is entirely up to him, and if they wake up in Camelot in the morning to find him still there, they should consider themselves extremely lucky. VERY angsty, but protective Kilgharrah and remorseful everyone else, with a hopeful ending me thinks. (Part 1 is COMPLETED, Part 2 is COMPLETED, Part 3(final part) is COMPLETED!!)

Merlin meets with Morgause, they’re more frenemies than actual enemies, but Merlin is kinda scary. Arthur had followed him and sees this. SHORT because I have no plot outside of the conversation between Merlin and Morgause that I want to write.

Arthur as a Witcher AU!!! (More detailed outline here!)

Morgana and Merlin as Gods who are playing with destiny as if it were a game. I’m thinking just Mordred follows Merlin out to see what he’s up to, and finds him meeting with Morgana to bicker about who’s “winning” over drinks. Mordred is very scared and confused and doesn’t really know who he can go to with this. There won’t really be an ending, just heavily implied angst, similar to the Evil!Merlin Version of Not what He Seems :)

Merlin has been on Morgause’s side since before he even came to Camelot, and had subsequently recruited Mordred and Morgana. Very short, very angsty, but also kinda satisfying, if you consider Arthur/Uther/Camelot the bad guys.

MERGWEN THE BABY IS COMING AU!!!! With a background rare-pair just because I wanted to :D. Merlin and Elyan (and Gwen) being besties! (Based on the Mergwen section of This Headcanon)

VERY short hurt/comfort in the aftermath of some sort of attack leaving Merlin permanently blind. Arthur has to learn to be more expressive, because Merlin can no longer read his body language/facial expressions, and it’s just Arthur comforting him afterwards with a hopeful ending. Already post magic reveal, so Merlin can use magic to get around just fine, but going blind is still a big deal, and using magic to sense where the steps are is not the same as being able to see a meadow.

Merlin reacts with anger, instead of sadness when Gaius reveals who his father is. Arthur overhears Merlin yelling some pretty hefty things at him “You are a liar and a coward and you should’ve burned with our kin” and privately goes “oof”. He asks Merlin about it later, Merlin explains vaguely but Arthur is a smart boy who figures it out. Another Balinor lives AU.

Leon has no idea why Merlin is storming out of the castle, followed by a FURIOUS Arthur. Merlin tells him to fuck off, punches him in the face, quits, and continues to storm off... Leon is sure as hell gonna find out what that was all about. (A few weeks after the repeal, Merlin reveals his magic, Arthur is angry at the lies, and Merlin has some self-respect). (This is one of my favourites, purely because I fully intend to write the words “Respectfully, My Lord, eat shit and die” into it) Fluffy Merthur ending. (COMPLETED)

3 times Merlin saves a patient, +1 time he can’t. Just about Merlin growing as a Physician, with a lot of fluffiness, and then a smidge of angst, and then lots of comfort from Arthur and a random Guard and Gaius. (COMPLETED)

Arthur walks in on Merlin in the Physician’s chambers in the morning, but he gets super nervous and is evidently trying to get The King to leave. Arthur just ignores him and sticks around to pester him until a very confused and... messy, Leon exits Merlin’s room. Merlin and Leon are mortified, Arthur has been waiting for this for ages and just takes the piss :D MERLEON!! (COMPLETED)

Roll reversal!! In which Arthur is the mother hen looking after everyone and panicking when they do stupid shit, and Merlin is the one doing/encouraging most of the stupid shit. MOVED TO HEADCANON LIST

Cinderella AU sort of!! Merlin and Arthur meet under very different circumstances! In which Merlin sneaks into a ball on a dare from Will, dressed in magically summoned fancy clothes. Arthur, who is sick and tired of his father trying to set him up, sees this weirdly good looking guy just shovelling his face at the snack table, instead of trying to seduce The Crown Prince, and sparks up conversation. They have fun, Merlin has no idea he’s the Prince and trash talks all of Camelot and their anti-magic laws and Uther and his dick of a son right to his face. They fall in love in a night, but Merlin has to run away and yadda yadda y’all know the rest. Happy ending :) (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin confiding in Lancelot about his love for Arthur, Arthur confiding in Leon about his love for Merlin, Lancelot and Leon have Wine Wednesdays where they complain about it and try to figure out how to get them together without betraying their trust (by just blurting out “you’re both in love with each other you gay motherfuckers”). (More detailed outline here!)

Arthur is somehow VERY stupid and VERY smart. He sees Dragoon, but recognises him as Merlin (the smart bit), and gets it into his head that Merlin has been cursed and the only way to break it is true love’s kiss (the stupid bit). Except Merlin returns to his room right as rain the next day and Arthur is sad because someone else is obviously Merlin’s true love. This happens a few times until both Arthur and Merlin go “wait, hold up”. 

Short crack where Arthur keeps giving Merlin clothes, and no can figure out why, until Mordred remembers that “Sorcerers like clothes”. Arthur is, in his own stupid way, trying to both make Merlin happy and let him know that he’s aware of the magic. (More detailed outline here!)

Merlin always taste tests Arthur’s food (the real reason he steals it all the time) and after years of it being fine, there is actually poison and Merlin almost dies and Arthur is angry and guilt and also Gay. 

Moana!AU!! Arthur as Moana, Merlin as Te Fiti/Te Ka, Freya as The Ocean, Gaius as Grandma Manta Ray, Leon as Maui. A very roundabout but cute happy-ending AU!! (More detailed outline here!!)

After Merlin tells Mordred the truth about his destiny of killing Arthur, Mordred swears a magical oath that, should he ever try to hurt Arthur, his own magic will turn against him. They then become besties, but magic reveal where Arthur rages and Mordred threatens him when he goes to hurt Merlin. Mordred’s own magic almost kills him, everyone thinks Merlin is a traitor (they think it’s the traitorous sorcerer’s fault that Mordred is in pain) until eventually everything gets sorted. Happy ending, but with some real tense moments. (More detailed outline here!)

The Knights ask Merlin just how close he and Morgana used to be (which they all find incredibly weird because, bar Leon, none of them met Morgana more than in passing before she went batshit insane). They push him too far and he decides he’s sick of lying. ULTRA angst, FORMER Mergana :( Everyone is super surprised, especially Arthur, but also sympathetic, because they can’t imagine how hard this has been.

Merlin is Tristan Du Bois’ son?? Making him Arthur’s cousin?? He came to Camelot knowing full well who he was, with the intention of killing Uther in revenge, but accidentally fell in love with someone (Gwen? Morgana? Leon?) and decided to give Arthur a chance. The Gang find out when they’re captured and the truth is revealed. Arthur isn’t too mad because his bestie is actually related to him!! :D

Merlin as a very unsettling Guardian angel, revealed by Morgause when everyone gets captured.

Really short fluff fic of Leon telling Arthur all about Igraine. Brotherly bonding and fluff :D

The gang sort through Lancelot’s room a few days after he dies, and discover that he had a secret partner. Merlin finally reveals that it was him when they find a certain something in amongst the stuff, and everyone feels like shit because... he’s been grieving alone and no one knew. Super angst, but also a fluffy part two in which they save Lance (something to do with the Shade and very strong magic).

Merlin taking a REALLY blasé attitude towards the magic reveal, in which the gang are talking about magic and how bad it is until he scoffs and goes “Y’all clueless, magic is common, useful, and loved everywhere except Camelot, you knobs”. Cue “... you grew up outside of Camelot, right? Can you do magic?”, which results in Merlin looking at them all dumbfounded, going “of course I can do magic?? I’m actually very good at it?? I use it every time I go home to help out my mum? Did you think I couldn’t do magic??!” and everyone is so taken aback that they just... leave that as it is.

FREYLIN!! In which Merlin manages to save Freya, and after a few years of sneaking away to visit her every couple of weeks, finally decides Fuck Destiny and Fuck Arthur and Fuck Camelot and runs away to live with her. Merlin manages to lift her curse and they get married and build their perfect little home and have a very adorable child, but it all comes crashing down when King Arthur and his closest knights, one of whom is very badly injured, stumble upon their home. Magic!! Love!! Reconciliation!!

MERLIN AND LEON HAVE ALREADY MET AU VERSION 1!!! When Merlin is a child, he gets lost in the woods, and a patrol of Camelot knights finds him. Young and kind squire Leon offers to take the child to the closest village, alone, and discovers his magic; he spares him and changes his mind about magic. When Merlin comes to Camelot years later, he’s got no clue who Leon is, but Leon knows him, and protects him from the sidelines. Super Fluffy!!! (More detailed outline here!)

MERLIN AND LEON HAVE ALREADY MET AU VERSION 2!!! When Leon is a young squire, he and his patrol come across a toddler doing magic in the woods. He is forced to help kill the child, and though he becomes secretly pro-magic, it haunts him for the rest of his life and he can’t forgive himself. Years later, Merlin comes to Camelot, and Leon can’t figure out why the younger man is so scared of him. SUPER angsty (and gory and triggering, like SUPER), but then with fluff at the end. There will be a reconciliation. (More detailed outline here!)

~

SEND IN VOTES VIA COMMENTS/ANONS/MESSAGES!!!

As have both parts of This Prompt!! Part 1 <3

#32 HAS BEEN POSTED!! IT’S VERY ANGSTY GUYS SO READ THE TAGS AND WARNINGS! #48 HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLETED!! UP NEXT IS PART 6 OF CONTROL!! :D

I’ve also added a cheeky few prompts on the end of The List!!

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

BBC MERLIN HEADCANON MASTERLIST

These are just the short little write-ups y’all send me. Ideas that I want to think about but don’t need/don’t inspire a full narrative. These are usually a paragraph or so on each of the relevant characters, or just a few paragraphs on what my thoughts are on certain topics/events/potentials within the universe.

I do NOT write reader inserts or anything close to that, so if you want to send in something based on romance/relationships, send me a ship, otherwise I won’t do it, I’m afraid. After all, how Character A cuddles depends heavily on who it is they’re cuddling.

Modern❤️

Canon Time🧡

General💛

❤️What sort of Underwear do the knights wear?

🧡Birthdays in Camelot

💛Favourite Animals

💛How they are with children

❤️Reactions to Rollercoasters

💛The Gang's Love Languages

💛A general BBC Merlin Playlist

💛Various pairings’ reactions to their/their surrogate’s labour

🧡How they are when sick/injured

❤️Reincarnated!Gang's reaction to Arthurian Legends

🧡Everyone reacting to Gwaine/Leon

🧡Mercalot Headcanons

🧡Weird/hidden talents

🧡Merwaine Headcanons

💛What Kind of Drunk are each of The Gang

🧡Merleon Headcanons

🧡Various thoughts on how Mordred could have been good/redeemed

❤️The Gang’s hobbies/fandoms

🧡How they all swear

💛Leon Big Brother-ing the gang

🧡Cooking during hunts/quests/patrols/whatever

💛How Arthur would react if someone came out to him

🧡Merlyan Headcanons

💛How Arthur acts when various people are sick

🧡Everyone at pranks

❤️What are Merthur like as parents- Modern Day

❤️The Gang’s modern day social media/Spotify

🧡A compilation of times Merlin has threatened to turn various people/animals/inanimate objects into toads

💛A general BBCM playlist, part 2

💛What life is like when the gang all live in the same apartment building

💛The Gang when they lie (tells, etc)

🧡The Gang’s favourite season/weather

💛Hell’s Coming With Me, a Morgana song analysis 

🧡Phoenix!Merlin (He has to be burned in order to revive after death)

💛Various Arthur pairings cuddling

🧡Everyone’s coping mechanisms when shit things happen

🧡Mergwen Headcanons  Part 2

🧡Mordred’s first impressions/school boy crushes on the gang

🧡Merlin with an accent  Part 2

💛Various Ships’ proposals/vows  Part 2 Sort Of

💛Merthur-who is more embarrassing/who praises the other most

❤️How everyone texts

~

🧡Ships finding out about each other’s magic (Inbox)

🧡The Gang hearing stories/bard’s songs about their adventures except... wrong (Inbox)

🧡What characters actually, privately think of Merlin (Inbox)

💛How do they relax after a long/stressful day (Inbox)

💛Ships’ favourite things about each other (Inbox)

💛Each person’s favourite Yuletide/Christmas Gift (Drafts)

🧡My main (obviously there are a billion ways this could’ve gone, depending on the context) thoughts on how everyone first reacts to Merlin’s magic (Inbox)

💛What would they have as pets (Inbox)

🧡Resourceful Merlin (Inbox)

🧡Gwen and Leon's friendship (Inbox)

🧡Merlin/Arthur = Bad cop/Good cop dynamic with enemies (Inbox)

It will take me a while to get through the ones in my inbox (which are not necessarily in order) as I am writing full length fics at the same time!

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Merlin/Lancelot domestic life hc?

Aww🥺

Chaos. To put it simply. Everyone thinks Merlin is nuts and Lance is soft and gentle because they forget that Lancelot, despite being all about honour and honesty, was 10/10 ready to commit himself to a lifetime of identity fraud after 1 (one) cute twink stared at him with puppy eyes.

They spend so little time together during the day because of their jobs, so everyone is super confused at how they know EVERYTHING about what the other is doing?? Arthur will casually imply he hasn't seen Merlin in a few hours, and Lance, without missing a beat, will say "he's in the lower town shopping for Gaius." Everyone is baffled because... Lancelot has been with them the whole time?? Leon will quietly, to himself, wonder how long until the most recent border patrol gets back, and Merlin, without looking up from the paperwork he's filling in for Arthur, will mutter "they've just reached the city's outer wall, they'll be back in about a half candle mark, depending how long it takes them to untack." Lance is on that patrol, sure, but how did he know?? Merlin and Lance are talking constant shit in each other's heads, that's how. Gwaine once jokingly calls it a lovers' intuition and... Merlin and Lance are terrible at coming up with excuses so... yeah, sure, lovers' intuition it is.

According to google they're the same height, so cheek kisses/chin kisses/shoulder kisses, every single time they see each other no matter what. Even if they're both in a terrible hurry and just pass each other in the corridor. They're not big on general PDA, especially when they're around other people, but they do sort of gravitate to one another. When they're with the knights/Arthur/people from Camelot, Merlin always finds himself stood slightly behind Lance. When he first realised this he was like "oh my Gods I really was born to be a servant I see a Sir and I put myself behind him without even realising wtf." but then Lance is all "...no Merlin, you numpty, I put myself in front of you because you're a godamn wizard in the middle of the we-hate-wizards Kingdom." and Merlin tears up a bit. BUT when they're in the lower town or out in the forest, it's the other way round. Merlin doesn't have to worry so much because people are far less likely to notice if he has to do some magic to protect his hunky bf.

Just like they aren't really into PDA, I feel like pet names and endearments don't crop up very often either. Very VERY occasionally a "my love" will slip out but like... only if one of them has almost died or they haven't seen each other in a few days. Mostly it's just "Merls" and "Lance". When Merlin is feeling particularly teasing, he'll call Lancelot "Loverboy" and he goes fucking RED, and he’ll mutter something about being "technically older than you so YOU'RE the boy except you're not actually a boy because that would be... never mind. Shut up."

The others think the relationship is super sweet, and in the early days both of them got really blushy if anyone mentioned it, but later on it's only Lancelot. Merlin stops caring what people think really quickly (it's not that Lance cares, he's just easily flustered), because Lance is basically the only wholly good thing in his life, so unless anyone says something genuinely bad about him/the relationship, it doesn't bother him at all. To be honest, I feel like no one figured it out for like... six months?? And it's not because they hid it, it's just because they'd always been fairly affectionate anyway, and everyone else is stupid.

When they move in together, Merlin tries to demand he just moves into Lancelot's knight room to make things easier, but Lance insists that isn't fair on Merlin and they get a little house in the upper town instead. It's not posh or anything, it just needed to be close to the castle. Neither of them have many belongings anyway, so everything starts off really neat and tidy, but once the novelty of having their own space sets in, it fills up with shit so quickly. Lance is always buying Merlin books and silly shelf trinkets and Merlin is always buying Lance clothes and weapons. Of course they have a whole room dedicated to healing, because A) They both have quite dangerous jobs/destinies and are always hurt, and B) If for whatever reason the Physician's chambers are full (be it sickness, or an attack, etc), Merlin wants to be able to help. It's the ONLY room in the house that's tidy. As for cooking, I feel like they're both pretty good? Merlin is better at throwing something together from nothing, probably from patrols in the wilderness and life in Ealdor, but Lance is better at putting together a significant meal when they have proper ingredients.

Hunith ADORES Lance, and honestly that makes Merlin so ridiculously happy, UNTIL she starts sharing embarrassing childhood stories. But Lancelot more than makes up for it by telling the two of them the trouble he used to get into as a child.

People though that once the truth came out about the magic and everything is legalised and Merlin is promoted, things would get better/more tolerable. They do not. They pull more pranks, they team up against everyone else and it's chaos. Gwaine had pink hair for a week. Leon started speaking in a French accent. They stole every single one of Arthur's left shoes. BUT they are also one HELL of a power couple in court, always ready to team up to bully an arsehole councilman or stand up for things or scare people. They're not even really aware of it, but Gwen catches on really quickly and demands that Arthur start seating them together during council meetings (originally he had Merlin on one side, Gwen on the other, and Lancelot was further round the table somewhere in amongst the knights) because she knew if they (the non arseholes) wanted anything done, Merlin and Lancelot could push it through.

~

I hope this is enough for you anon!! I love this and I love YOU!!!

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

The List has been updated, Gang!!

A few have been crossed out, but to make up for it, I’ve added 7 new ones!!

Check which ones have been crossed out!

and to make things easier on y’all, here are the new ones:

58.     The Knights ask Merlin just how close he and Morgana used to be (which they all find incredibly weird because, bar Leon, none of them met Morgana more than in passing before she went batshit insane). They push him too far and he decides he’s sick of lying. ULTRA angst, FORMER Mergana :( Everyone is super surprised, especially Arthur, but also sympathetic, because they can’t imagine how hard this has been.

59.     Merlin is Tristan Du Bois’ son?? Making him Arthur’s cousin?? He came to Camelot knowing full well who he was, with the intention of killing Uther in revenge, but accidentally fell in love with someone (Gwen? Morgana? Leon?) and decided to give Arthur a chance. The Gang find out when they’re captured and the truth is revealed. Arthur isn’t too mad because his bestie is actually related to him!! :D

60.     Merlin as a very unsettling Guardian angel, revealed by Morgause when everyone gets captured.

61.     Really short fluff fic of Leon telling Arthur all about Igraine. Brotherly bonding and fluff :D

62.     The gang sort through Lancelot’s room a few days after he dies, and discover that he had a secret partner. Merlin finally reveals that it was him when they find a certain something in amongst the stuff, and everyone feels like shit because… he’s been grieving alone and no one knew. Super angst, but also a fluffy part two in which they save Lance (something to do with the Shade and very strong magic).

63.     Merlin taking a REALLY blasé attitude towards the magic reveal, in which the gang are talking about magic and how bad it is until he scoffs and goes “Y’all clueless, magic is common, useful, and loved everywhere except Camelot, you knobs”. Cue “… you grew up outside of Camelot, right? Can you do magic?”, which results in Merlin looking at them all dumbfounded, going “of course I can do magic?? I’m actually very good at it?? I use it every time I go home to help out my mum? Did you think I couldn’t do magic??!” and everyone is so taken aback that they just… leave that as it is.

64.     FREYLIN!! In which Merlin managed to save Freya, and after a few years of sneaking away to visit her every couple of weeks, finally decides Fuck Destiny and Fuck Arthur and Fuck Camelot and runs away to live with her. Merlin manages to lift her curse and they get married and build their perfect little home and have a very adorable child, but it all comes crashing down when King Arthur and his closest knights, one of whom is very badly injured, stumble upon their home. Magic!! Love!! Reconciliation!!

~

Let me know if these change any of your votes!! I am sorta desperate to write #58 at some point soon, but don’t worry, I shall finish #7, #49, and hopefully #32 and #48 before then!

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

BBC Merlin Recs!!

Someone asked me for Merthur recs a while ago, so I figured I'd start a list of various BBC Merlin fics I love!!

These are various different ships and friendships, I've tried to keep a little variety, though almost all of them are canon era (there are only a few that aren’t) 😁 Non of them are ridiculously graphic in terms of smut, but there may be the occasional small bits and pieces. Some have very hefty trigger warnings. Always read the tags, kids.

❤=Absolute Faves

❤5 times Merlin helped Leon through a nightmare (+1 time Leon helped Merlin through his own) OK so I absolutely ADORE this, it's one of my all time favourite BBC Merlin fics, and it's about the growing friendship between Leon and Merlin. There are no romantic ships at the forefront of this, but it's just written really beautifully and I really really Love it (around 9k)

Hot Summer Night MERTHUR!! Some good old pining, Merlin being weirdly confident, all pure fluff and I'm HERE for it (around 2k)

Trial of the Senses MERTHUR!! Merlin is Mega Pining and Oblivious, kinda angsty but only because Merlin is stupid, super fluffy ending (around 3k)

❤The one where Arthur finds out exactly why Merlin is such a bad Manservant MERTHUR except it's more platonic (but read it how you want I suppose). Arthur stands up for Merlin when he finds out Merlin is so shit at his job because he's never been trained or anything. He shouts at the steward on Merlin's behalf (around 3k)

Possessed by Emrys MERCALOT and ARWEN!! Ok so this is one of the funniest ones I've read in aaaaages. In which, to be able to use magic in front of people, Merlin and Gaius tell Arthur of a "spirit" named Emrys who possesses people to use magic and save everyone. Hijinks occur, in which EVERYONE uses "I've been possessed by Emrys I must go" as an excuse to get out of things. Arthur is very stupid until he's not. The whole thing is just... really funny (almost 15k)

Into the Stars MERTHUR!! Arthur is pining and very stupid, so when he finds out that Merlin loves the stars, he spends HOURS teaching himself about them, so he has something to talk to Merlin about, instead of just.... telling him how he feels. I love this, it's so cute (almost 5k)

Worthy MERTHUR really angsty but with a happy ending. Merlin doesn't think he's worth Arthur's affections, Arthur proves him wrong (350 words. Short and sweet)

King's Orders Platonic Gwen/Arthur/Gwaine/Merlin. Merlin's closest friends stage an intervention because they're worried about his alcoholism. Merlin has to sit there and listen to his friends tell him they love and support him whilst trying not to laugh because.... he's been to the tavern maybe twice in his life. Bit of angst in the middle but mostly it's just funny (almost 8k)

After the Lamia Platonic between the knights and Merlin. All of them remember the way they treated Merlin whilst they were enchanted, and it's somehow angsty and fluffy at the same time because Merlin is still kinda freaked out, but the knights feel terrible and want to make it up to him (around 2k)

Keeping you from Harm MERTHUR!! Merlin gets hurt whilst protecting Arthur. Arthur worries a lot and there's a cute love confession and everyone's happy. Even the angsty bits aren't too sad, the whole thing is just really sweet (around 2k)

Ask No Questions More platonic Merthur. Merlin scar reveal (I LOVE scar reveal fics) and this one starts off funny and quickly descends to angst but with a happy/hopeful ending and I love that (almost 4k)

Catch MERTHUR!! Arthur keeps tryna propose and it keeps going wrong. Just really cute and fluffy and wholesome (around 8k) ALSO Hide Your Scars which is technically the first part to Catch, but they can be read separately with no issue. All about the knights finding out about Merlin's magic (and his multitude of scars) one by one, and helping him (12k)

Searching the Sun MERTHUR!! Yet another scar reveal fic, and also a magic reveal. The knights misunderstand Merlin's shyness, and think he might have been (TW) sexually assaulted. Sort of underlying angst but with a very lovely ending (around 5k)

Of Course I Care Platonic but pre-relationship/pining Merthur? Merlin suffers pretty badly from anxiety, and Arthur asks Lancelot how to help him, because he doesn't like seeing him in pain but doesn't know what to do. Cute ending, really sweet and I love it (around 3k)

❤Is This the Best You Can Do? Currently a set of two fics (they don't run directly on from each other, they're just both amazing) about the knights seeing how much of a BAMF Merlin is. He doesn't even use magic he's just really badass and keeps saving the day whilst the knights look on, dumbfounded (first is 2k, second is 6k)

Lace among the rocks MERWAINE!! Kinda angsty, very cute scar reveal, just Gwaine being loving and supportive and it's beautiful (around 1k)

To see you Smile MERCALOT and ARWEN!!! Super cute fixit fic in which Merlin semi-tricks the Cailleach, and saves Lancelot. It's just really cute and I love it (around 9k)

Our Story on Our Skin no romantic pairings, just platonic between everyone and Merlin. Yet ANOTHER scar (and subsequent magic) reveal except SUPER angsty this time. I just. Really love a Merlin scar reveal guys. BIG TW for self harm and suicidal Merlin, happy/hopeful ending (around 7k)

❤The Sacrifices You Make background Arwen, pre-Merwaine. Magic reveal has happened, but Arthur doesn't know about the whole destiny/prophecy/Emrys thing. Evil sorcerer forces Merlin to show all his deepest, most private memories. Everyone, especially Arthur, is made aware of just how much Merlin has sacrificed without asking for anything in return. Really angsty, but happy ending (almost 10k)

❤ A Dragon’s Treasure MERTHUR!!! Super cute. Becoming Dragon Lord has some physical AND mental side-effects, Merlin sorta loves it, sorta hates it. I LOVE this one and it’s just really funny and sweet and cool (around 5k)

❤Knit up your cloak about you MERLIN/LEON!! It's a favourite rare-pair of mine. All from Arthur's perspective. He is struggling as a new King, and wants to bring his two closest friends and advisors together, because he thinks the three of them could do astounding things if they just start to understand each other properly. He finds he doesn't actually have to put that much work in as he watches their relationship develop. It's just really well written and I love it (around 6.7k)

The Court Sorcerer's New Clothes MERTHUR!! Merlin likes to embroider to de-stress and Arthur discovers this. It's just really sweet🥺 (around 2.1k)

Revelations MERWAINE!! Merlin wants to tell Gwaine the truth about his magic, but Gwaine freaks out because he thinks Merlin is about to dump him for Lancelot. A little angst, but mostly just fluff (around 2.1k)

Chasing Heat platonic Leon/Merlin/Arthur. The three of them have to huddle for warmth and Merlin really snuggles in whilst the other two are confused and basically just go "oh. I guess cuddles are happening." and go along with it. Super sweet (around 900 words)

❤The Stars Make Me Dream very brief Merwaine (fwb) but then MERTHUR!! Merlin goes blind after an attack from Morgana, and has to deal with it without anyone finding out. A fair amount of angst, but a lovely fluffy ending. It's just really sweet and I love it (around 20k)

❤Eight Days MERLIN/LEON Merlin has a secret admirer leaving gifts for him in the week leading up to a tournament. It's just really cute and sweet and fluffy all the way through, I love it (around 2.8k)

❤❤The Judgement of Sir Mordred I CAN NOT RAVE ABOUT THIS ENOUGH!! One of my all time favourite BBC Merlin fics!!! Merlin is a Very powerful (and not a very nice) God and Mordred recognises him. The whole thing is just.... so compelling and amazingly written. I can't say anything without giving too much away but godamn. I love it so much (around 2k and every word is perfect)

A Good Death Arthur kills Merlin accidentally at Camlann. The whole thing is super heartbreaking, there is no happy ending, angst all the way through, but it's so good😭 (around 3k)

Throwing Them Through Hoops Merlin makes a bet with a horrible knight that he can throw knives better than all of them. He succeeds. I just love it when Merlin is a BAMF but in non-magic ways (around 3k)

I've Lost Everything Merlin's magic is revealed and Arthur gets all pouty and whiny and tells Merlin that he doesn't know anything about loss. Merlin goes off on one and let's out a lot of pent up misery, to a speechless Arthur. The knights all side with Merlin, and he gives Arthur a choice. (around 3k)

❤A Considerable Headstart Background Arwen, Merlin has been acting odd, so the whole gang follow him into the woods where he meets with a visiting noble. A VERY long and disconcerting conversation is had, the Noble tries to kill Merlin, and then some Druids appear to help their Lord Emrys (after Merlin wins the fight) I don't really know how to describe it without giving it away, but it's amazing. From the Gang's perspective, all realising what Merlin goes through, how much of a BAMF he is, and just... what he is in general (around 14k)

❤Maybe The Hoard Is The Friends We Made Along The Way Dragons hoard things. As it turns out, Dragon-Lords do as well. Merlin discovers what his hoard is after realising that he fully panics if he goes one day without seeing everyone in the Gang at least once. Merlin has to find a way to cope with his... unusual, hoard. This is hilarious and fluffy and I LOVE it. Magic reveal also happens (around 7.7k)

❤❤This is Me Trying MERTHUR!! Arthur knows about Merlin's magic, established relationship. Super fluffy, sweet scar reveal, it's just really cute and🥺 (around 2.4k)

❤❤Did you know? Platonic between all the knights and Merlin!! The knights (including Arthur) confront Merlin about the way he's abused as a servant. It's all very teary and angsty when Merlin is genuinely confused as to why him being treated like that is a bad thing, and the knights realise it's been happening for years, and they've essentially encouraged/ignored it without realising. READ THE TWs!!! (Around 5.6k)

Emrys Smiled Post magic reveal, no pairings! Whilst visiting a foreign kingdom, Merlin punches knight to defend a child. He's brought before the court and a punishment is ordered. His identity as Emrys is revealed and everyone goes 😬 whilst Merlin and the gang go sorta😌. I love it. BAMF Merlin (around 4.4k)

Like Falling (When There's Someone Waiting to Catch You) MERTHUR!! Magic reveal where Arthur actually notices Merlin disappearing all the time, and follows him. Angsty and feelsy but also first kiss and happy ending. There's some like... REALLY vague, implied smut, can easily be skipped over. (Around 19k)

Come Back to Me, My Love MERCALOT!! Merlin kidnaps Shade!Lancelot and restores his proper soul. Angst but with a happy ending it's so sweet I love it🥺 (around 8.6k)

❤Over, Under, Around Through the Heart MERWAINE!! Braiding hair is a courting ritual in Ealdor. Gwaine has no idea about that when Merlin starts braiding his hair constantly, and frankly, Merlin wants it to stay that way so he can indulge in his little harmless fantasy. Except of course Gwaine figures it out. It's so cute and well written I'm in love with this (almost 5k)

You Love Me background Merwaine, but mostly focused on Elyan and Gwaine's friendship. ADHD Gwaine struggles with low self esteem and Elyan has a few things to say about that. I love it, it's so soft and sweet and wonderful (around 1.2k)

❤Merlin has an Irish King Cousin MERWAINELOT? (Merlin/Gwaine/Lancelot), literally what it says on the box. An Irish King arrives to meet with Arthur, and everyone is very surprised when Merlin and the King greet each other like old friends, and start spouting off a different language to each other. A little angst because Merlin was basically shunned by all bar his cousin for being a bastard, but other than that it's super sweet and lovely and kinda funny (around 5.5k)

❤❤The Moment I Said It MERDRED!! Look... normally I hate this ship, but this was so good. Merlin's magic is revealed and he's banished, but Arthur regrets his decision pretty quickly. He and the knights go looking for him so Arthur can at least let him explain his side of the story. In the mean time, Merlin has been captured and is being tortured rather horrifically by Morgana. LOTS of angst, psychological torture, but with a happy ending (around 43k)

❤If I Could Have My Time Again MERLYAN!! A rare pair!! I didn't know I liked this ship until I read it. Elyan and Merlin are captured by bandits together but only Merlin is tortured, because Elyan is worth more unharmed. Elyan finally acknowledges his feelings for the servant, and also discovers his magic. It's so cute and I LOVE this (around 2k)

A Love Story in Four Parts MERWAINE!!! So fluffy, low stakes, just four times Gwaine realised he was absolutely head over heels for Merlin, it's so cute (around 1k)

❤❤The Camelot Spymaster absolutely hilarious. Arthur had NO idea that several years previously he had assigned Merlin as the Spymaster. It all comes out when the gang are captured and Merlin goes "meh. We'll be fine. This is a situation #23" and everyone else goes "???" Arthur is endearingly STUPID in this, and I spent a lot of time looking for this when I couldn't find it again (around 1.7k)

Clumsy Only Goes So Far background Arwen. The servants all see how injured Merlin gets all the time, and think Arthur is the one constantly hurting him. Arthur and Merlin are oblivious to this, until Merlin gets REALLY badly hurt, and George kinda... goes off? In a very small, sarcastic, semi-respectful George kinda way? It's kinda angsty, kinda funny, I love anything where the servants are one big family tbh (around 2.7k)

❤The Burning Truth the gang are discussing whether magic should be legalised or not. Merlin is very tired and kind of sick of it all, so he starts with "My father was a sorcerer..." and then moves on to himself, whilst the gang all sit there feeling kinda guilty because half of them were just trash-talking magic. Lots of angst but with a happy ending (around 2.2k)

His Name is Merlin MERLYAN!! After the Lamia, everyone had come to apologise to Merlin bar Elyan. Merlin doesn't know why he's so upset by this, except Elyan does come eventually and there's some... feelsies going on. Slightly angsty but with a sweet ending. This is cute (around 2k)

The Talent Discrepancy MERTHUR!! Merlin has a lot of hidden talents! Just low stakes fluff with everyone in the gang realising how much of a BAMF Merlin is at various things. I basically love ANY fic in which Merlin can sing 🥺. The Merthur bit doesn’t happen until right at the end but it’s lovely and the last line is just 🤩 (around 4.6k)

❤❤I Can Dance and Play the Part MERTHUR!! Post magic reveal, Merlin and Arthur are married. Merlin suffers from chronic pain from all his old injuries, and he has a SUPER bad day. Arthur and Gaius look after him, and there are also some tender moments of friendship between Merlin and George as well (low-key one of my fave tropes is the servants all being besties) (around 3.5k)

You’ll find your way home (you always do) MERCALOT!! From Percival’s point of view when he and Lancelot are traveling together. Lancelot talks basically non-stop about some dude named Merlin, and Percy decides he must be a decent person, and is quietly respectful of Lance’s little infatuation. It’s such sweet pining (around 2.5k)

A Servant Resting On His King’s Legs MERTHUR!! Gaius walks into The King’s chambers to find Arthur working at his desk.... whilst Merlin works in his lap. Neither seem bothered about this, or the fact that Gaius has seen them, it’s whatever ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Gaius is kinda baffled, it’s sweet (around 700 words)

Hold My Hand Pre-Merthur? Camelot is a huge culture shock for Merlin, and he struggles with anxiety. Feasts SUCK. Normally Gwen helps him through it, but she’s not there one night and Merlin didn’t even have time to prepare himself mentally. Arthur breaks out of his early days prattishness to help Merlin without question. It’s so soft I love this (around 3k)

❤❤Only Destiny Can Save Us Now MERTHUR!! The Gang (including Good!Morgana, Good!Mordred, and Gwen) are captured by a sorcerer looking for Emrys so he can steal his magic. Everything is outed when said sorcerer shows everyone what The Magicians (plus Lancelot and Kilgharrah) got up to last weekend (wiping out an entire army marching on Camelot single-handedly without breaking a sweat). Arthur is mad, and then Gay (around 5.7k)

Blackberries, Griffins and a Kiss For You MERCALOT!! Mostly from Gwaine’s point of view. A few of the knights are away and Lance is missing Merlin. Gwaine tries to figure out what the inside joke involving Griffins is, but ultimately leaves them to it and is happy for his besties. It’s so cute. It’s so sweet. Lots of fluff, no dramatics, just cuteness (around 2.5k)

❤❤❤The Hoard of a Pendragon MERTHUR!! Pendragons have just a touch of dragon blood in their veins. They have hoards, Uther chose to hoard Power, Arthur... well... Uther always told Arthur to NEVER hoard people, and Arthur has never been good at doing what he was told. Arthur hoards the people of Camelot, the people of Ealdor, his knights, and Merlin. I LOVE THIS SO MUCHHHH (around 2k)

no. Just.....no Merthur (but more pre if memory serves)!! Merlin’s magic is exposed to Uther and the court, and he just... sticks around anyway. Uther sentences him to death (after he saves his life again) and Merlin just goes “nah ,fuck you” and keeps serving Arthur?? People keep trying to kill him but he keeps waking up and just... going about his business. Eventually people get used to it and give up. Hilarious, I love it (around 7.6k)

❤It's all about Colour MERWAINE!! Merlin has been blind since birth and Arthur is completely oblivious to this. Everyone else knows, and they’re all very supportive and helpful. Bonding between Merlin and the knights and Morgana and Gwen!! Eventually, in order to fulfil his destiny Merlin needs to be able to see, magic happens, magic ending in FLUFF (around 1.3k)

Sleeping Comfort MERTHUR!! Arthur is struggling to sleep after his father’s death and asks Merlin to stay in his chambers at night. They slowly get cuddlier and cuddlier until they both eventually give in to the fact that Arthur’s never going to let him move out. Oh, and they also realise how ridiculously in love they are (around 7.5k)

How to Woo a Warlock MERWAINE!! Gwaine is trying very hard to court Merlin, but the servant is incredibly oblivious. This is adorable and amazing and I love it. The second chapter is like a follow up and is just smut, you don’t need to read it though (around 15.5k)

Uther’s Bane MERTHUR!! Uther discovers that Merlin and Arthur are together, and whilst attempting to kill Merlin, discovers his magic. Morgana and Arthur kick his arse and all is well in the end :D (around 2.5k)

❤Feathers for the Pillows MERTHUR!! Merlin has wings and has to hide them!! I LOVE this!! Gaius, and later Morgana and Gwen, help Merlin care for them whilst hiding them as best they can, but everyone knows that Merlin has some sort of issue with his back and tries to help. Just all the knights being such good bros. THIS IS ADORABLE!!! (around3.7k)

❤❤Keep her safe MERGANA!! Merlin and Morgana’s magic is outed by the witchfinder, so Arthur helps them escape and they run away to Essetir, where they become nobles/advisors to Cenred (he’s very ooc in this, he’s essentially a good guy) Eventually they fall in love and it’s so lovely and sweet and fluffy!! (around 1.5k)

Newlyweds MERGANA! Post magic reveal, Merlin and Morgana get drunk at some Druid festival and get married. They have to figure out how to tell Arthur. Hilarious, and I love it. (around 1.1k)

❤A Father's Wisdom MERTHUR!!! VERY ooc Uther, in which The King can tell immediately that Merlin is Balinor’s son, but assigns him to Arthur anyway. He finds out about their secret relationship and is awkwardly, endearingly supportive, despite being a little befuddled. Look, I hate Uther just as much as the next BBCM fan... but this is amazing. (around 2.1k)

For Now and Always MERWAINE!! Gwaine panics when Merlin is momentarily lost. Merlin makes a joke about marriage, and Gwaine suddenly finds himself completely unafraid of committing himself to someone for the long-term, so proposes on the spot. Straight up fluff. So sweet. So wholesome (around 1k)

Friendship Merlin and Leon friendship. Merlin is struggling to recover after the Lamia, but Arthur forces him and Leon to take a four day trip into the woods so Merlin can teach Leon about herbs and healing. Leon forces a conversation because Merlin is acting odd and it’s just very🥺(around 3.2k)

❤The consort MERTHUR!! This is fucking HILARIOUS. In a desperate attempt to get Uther to allow Arthur to quest for the Morteus flower, he tells Uther that Merlin is his consort. He then fails to tell Merlin this... for about a year (around 4.8k)

Waiting for them Merlin/Mordred!! I feel the need to once again point out that I’m not a huge fan of this ship, but this is written in such a way that I love it. Merlin and Mordred are both immortal, they spend the first few hundred years trying to actually kill each other, then they just mildly inconvenience each other, then they realise that they need each other, then they fall in love (after a good few centuries) (around 1.1k)

A Golden Age MERTHUR!!! Literally just... fluff. No plot, the dust has settled and everything is happy and peaceful and Golden. That’s it. (around 1k)

❤Tonight We Own the Sky Pre-Merthur I guess? Merlin is trapped in a crypt by one of Camelot’s enemies. He develops severe claustrophobia and has horrific nightmares if there’s so much as a blanket on top of him. Mordred is the only one who knows and Merlin makes him swear not to tell anyone, until he has a nightmare whilst out on patrol and Arthur forces him to spill (around 3.7k)

New Beginnings MERCALOT!! Lance discovers his feelings for Merlin when he gets jealous of Gwaine getting all cosy with Merlin in a tavern. Mercalot kissing and the beginnings of a relationship whilst the other knights cheer in the background (around 700 words)

Jealous MERTHUR!! A visiting Lord is super nice to Merlin, and Arthur worries that Merlin will want to leave with him. When he stays, Arthur decides that the only way he’ll have a chance is if he starts being even nicer. Merlin thinks he’s been enchanted or something. Fluff (around 1.9k)

❤Cry Wolf Pre-Merthur ending!! Big TW for r*pe!! Agravaine r*pes and emotionally blackmails Merlin, so Merlin makes plans to leave with Mithian and not come back because he no longer feels safe. Arthur finds out and tosses his uncle in jail, and feels super guilty for making Merlin believe that he wouldn’t believe/help him. Happy/hopeful ending (exactly 3k)

❤❤Specifically Blue MERTHUR!! Merlin is a selkie!! I usually hate AUs like this but I LOVE this one!! Merlin loses his coat, and Arthur finds it and tries to hand it back without realising what it is. Merlin blurts out what it is, and it turns out Arthur’s known for ages what he is. So cute and fluffy!! Exasperated but supportive Gaius!! (around 3.5k)

An Art in Comprehension MERGWEN!! Merlin wakes up one random morning, and realises how hopelessly in love he is with Gwen. This is so short and SO sweet!! (around 300 words)

❤❤Surprising Depth MERTHUR!! A 5+1 of Arthur accidentally finding out that Merlin is Camelot’s resident bad boy. I can’t remember what order they come in but... Merlin fucks, has a MASSIVE back tattoo, smokes, has the ability to be scary, gives a guy a messy, screaming amputation without even blinking. Oh, and is also a terrifyingly powerful sorcerer. Arthur is... gay. (around 6.1k)

The Effects of Rain Platonic Elyan and Gwaine!! Elyan gets super sick after a rainy patrol and Gwaine looks after him. This is so fluffy and sweet and I love it (around 2.2k)

❤❤Crossing the Line A whole bunch of evil sorcerers successfully storm Camelot. Merlin repeatedly has the shit beaten out of him whilst trying to find Arthur (except like... it’s funny). He bursts into the throne room and is too tired and annoyed and angry to bother hiding his magic so kills the leader and promptly passes out. Leon spends the entire time sulking because he’s been tied up and left in a field. This is super funny and every single character is just. This is hilarious. I love it (around 4.1k)

❤❤❤tell me what it’s like to conquer, tell me what it’s like to burn MERTHUR!! Slow-burn, what if Merlin and Arthur actually had run away together? They get on horses and ride as fast as they can for as long as they can. There’s only so long you can live with the other half of your soul before you fall in love. DOMESTICE BLISS!! THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS EVER!!! (around 2.8k)

When King Becomes Prince MERTHUR!! Arthur and Uther wake up having swapped bodies, this goes about as well as you’d think it would. OOC supportive Uther! Hilarious! Merlin isn’t impressed when Arthur tries to kiss him whilst still in Uther’s body (around 2.5k)

"You're lucky you're cute." MERCALOT!! Merlin somehow manages to convince an assassin not to kill The King by... flirting with him? Lance thinks it’s hilarious, Arthur isn’t impressed (around 800 words)

❤the gold of you that can't be seen MERTHUR!! Soulmate AU where you can’t see the colour of your soulmates eyes until you meet them!! Arthur goes his whole life being unable to see Gold. Momentary angst because Merlin thought Arthur was just pretending they weren’t soulmates, when really, he just didn’t start seeing gold until Merlin first did magic in front of him, years after they met. Funny, cute ending (around 3.5k)

Make Me Better ARWEN turned MERGWENTHUR!! Very OOC abusive Gaius (he bad in this). Arthur does everything in his power to remove Merlin from Gaius’ “care”, and then falls in love with him? But he’s already in love with Gwen? Ahhhh?! Luckily they both feel the same :D (around 4.7k)

❤❤Must Have Been The Wind Merlin comes into his own as a God when people start praying at his temple again. The gang (including Merlin) discovers this when they go to see what’s up with the sudden influx of magic users in said temple. Takes a SUPER angsty turn, but has a happy/hopeful ending. BEAUTIFUL. Just... the way the author writes about Merlin realising what he is, as if he were remembering something he used to be... it’s just beautiful and compelling and wonderful. I LOVE God!Merlin!AUs (around 6.2k)

dancing on the edge [of something new] MERTHUR!! Merlin (post magic reveal) drags Arthur out to dance in the first snow of the year in the middle of the night. Both of them are hopelessly in love and very stupid about it. Super sweet, fluff only (around 1.5k)

❤Of Kings and Hats MERTHUR though honestly Arthur isn’t really in it that much. Very OOC Uther who realises that Merthur is a thing, and trusts Merlin to rescue Arthur when he gets captured. When they get back, Uther is oddly fond of Merlin, heavily implies that he knows about the magic (and that maybe magic isn’t all that bad) and then starts teasing him. It’s adorable, I LOVE OOC Uther (around 1.9k)

Unforgivable MERTHUR!! Arthur gets cursed to be an arsehole to Merlin, and almost kills him. He has no memory of what happened after Merlin breaks the curse, and goes ape shit when he sees how banged up Merlin is, and is promptly horrified when he forces Merlin to tell him the truth. Happy ending (5.3k)

Drugged Up Gwaine accidentally drugs Merlin whilst they and the other knights are in the woods. Merlin proceeds to be utterly adorable (and high) and accidentally reveals his magic to all bar Arthur. The knights have to babysit him and work together to keep his magic hidden and it’s just. Adorable. And funny (around 2.3k)

❤Perfect Arthur doesn’t care that he’s gained a little weight after becoming King, but it suddenly occurs to him that Merlin might care, and he needs a little reassurance. This is just... so lovely and loving and exactly what a supportive relationship should be like (around 1.2k)

Little Miss Pendragon MERTHUR!! PURE fluff with Merlin and Arthur and their adopted little girl. Just... perfect (around 1.9k)

The servant´s tournament Uther announces that there’ll be a tournament for people wanting to be Arthur’s manservant, because of how often he gets attacked (so the servant can act as a bodyguard as well) Arthur accepts that wimpy Merlin will no longer work for him, and gets extra worried when he comes across someone REALLY GOOD training in the woods. Merlin anonymously kicks ass. Uther and Arthur are surprised (around 3.7k)

When the Leaves Begin to Fall MERTHUR!! Merlin is a God, not that he’s told Arthur that, and he starts dying when Camelot is cursed to wilt as he’s the God charged with protecting the land. Few bits and pieces of angst, happy ending (around 3.6k)

Where the Love Light Gleams GWAINE/ARTHUR A rare pair that I love!! Gwaine organises a mini Yule celebration IN Arthur’s chambers, ending in a first kiss. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s domestic!! (around 2k)

❤to spill soup (down someone else's front) Background Arwen, focused on Gwen and Merlin being besties. Gwen knows about Merlin’s magic, Arthur doesn’t. Merlin keeps threatening to use it to embarrass a horrible noble who was mean to Gwen. Both funny, and meaningful conversations are had. It’s just sweet and quiet and lovely (around 600 words)

Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend Arthur sees Merlin’s Serket scar and asks the others (the knights and Gwen) about it... except they all start talking about DIFFERENT scars that they’ve seen on Merlin. Until eventually Arthur just confronts him. Magic reveal, hopeful ending (around 4.9k)

❤I need to stop writing so many fics that can be titled 'Idiot' MERGWAINECELOT!!! Gwaine’s ADHD makes him forget to eat sometimes and he faints. Lancelot and Merlin are suitably worried and look after him!! So cute and fluffy!! (around 500 words)

If you wonder about me too MERTHUR fluff!! Merlin is pining and stupid. Just a few soft pre-Merthur moments that come together in a first kiss and a love confession ( around 4k)

Mornings MERWAINE!! Domestic bliss!! Merlin and Gwaine have been married for a year and have a pretty solid routine (around 300 words)

Wisdom Smarts MERTHUR!! Merlin gets his wisdom teeth removed and is off his head on drugs. This is just really funny and stupid and I love it. Also includes a casual magic reveal and Good!Uther (which I LOVE) (around 1.3k)

He Waits Not [Till The Tumult Die] Background Merthur!! Merlin gets the shit beaten out of him by some mean knights, and Uther is the one to find him. Uther is VERY OOC and is all angry and protective and carries Merlin to Gaius and then invites Arthur to go hunt down those knights with him. TW for mentions of past r*ape. We all know I’m a SLUT (platonically) for OOC Uther (around 1.6k)

cooling off by the river ARTHUR/LANCELOT!!! The knights (and Merlin) are out and about and cool off in a river. Lance and Arthur have their first kiss whilst everyone else cheers. It’s just super sweet (around 600 words)

❤The living and the dead Arthur decides not to use the horn of Cathbandh, knowing that Ghost!Uther would just be a dick. He gives it to Merlin instead, and Merlin summons Will, Lancelot, Freya, and Balinor. Arthur overhears some conversations he shouldn’t have (about magic and destinies and shit) and is angry for all of two seconds before he sees how distraught Merlin is. Happy/hopeful ending :) (around 3.4k)

Gwaine Gives Good Gay Advice Gwaine discovers Mordred moping about his crush in the armoury and gives some brotherly love and advice. No relationships or pre-relationship, but it’s sweet and lovely and soft (around 1.1k)

❤Show Me Your Fears Background/pre-Merwaine. Merlin and the knights are stuck in a magical maze. Everyone knows about Merlin’s magic, but other than Lancelot, they all think he’s fairly weak and useless at sorcery. Each person has to defeat their greatest fear, they think they’ve reached the middle of the maze, until suddenly, an almost exact copy of Merlin appears. Merlin has to fight himself, cue EPIC magic fight in which everyone discovers that 1)Merlin is HELLA powerful, and 2)Merlin has HELLA issues (around 4.9k)

❤❤Have you Heard MERTHUR!! The gang keep hearing more and more ridiculous stories about Emrys (including from several people who claim to be him/serve him), who Arthur is searching for. Lancelot  repeatedly has to hide how hilarious he finds it, and Merlin has to repeatedly hide how furious he is. He finally gets tired of it and just casually reveals it when saving the gang from misunderstanding self-described Emrys Worshippers (around 6.5k)

The Monster in the Mirror Very Horror-y?? A creepy mirror that’s meant to show you your worst fears just keeps showing Merlin a slightly darker version of himself, who tries to persuade him to “let him out”. Merlin goes briefly insane. The ending is HORRIFYING unless you ignore the very last line, in which case it’s happy :D (around 7.5k)

Mud MERTHUR!! Arthur and Merlin get all mucky in the woods. Fluffy and stupid and I love it (around 2k)

hold me like the night sky holds the moon MERTHUR!!! Arthur is very overwhelmed and needs a good cry and a cuddle but won’t admit it. Merlin sees right through him and forces him to talk about his feelings (in like... a healthy cute way). This is so sweet (exactly1.1k)

❤❤For Arthur Eventual MERTHUR!! This is hella depressing, definitely read the TWs, but it has a happy/hopeful ending. Merlin finds out he’s immortal and starts semi-regularly killing himself as a form of self harm. One day, after Merlin’s magic has been revealed (and Arthur had reacted very badly), Arthur walks in on him moments too late (around 18.8k)

Two Queens VS A Snake MERGWENTHUR!! Merlin and Gwen stand up to the knights when they treat them badly under the Lamia’s enchantment. It’s just kinda very BAMFy to be honest with you (around 1k)

❤❤Who's First MERWAINECELOT!! Merlin, Lance, and Gwaine try to sneak back in after one of their secret magicky missions and are trying to hide their injuries from each other. Gaius is all... fatherly, and won’t let any of them get away with not being treated. They all fight over who should go first. This is just.... so wonderfully adorable and I LOVE Gaius in this (around 1.6k)

Oldstones MERTHUR!! (but more background/pre) Merlin can SING!!!! I LOVE that trope!! Merlin regularly sneaks out to sing at an old abandoned ruin, unaware that the locals can hear him and have given him a cryptid-y nickname. The only price that the Lord is willing to accept to allow Camelot knights to pass through his land, is a dedicated performance from Merlin. Everyone loves it and cries (around 2.6k)

Would You Hate Me MERTHUR!! Arthur doesn’t believe Merlin when he accuses Arthur’s new friend of being a dangerous traitor. When Arthur walks in on Merlin trying to undo said guy’s magical trap in Arthur’s room, Arthur accuses Merlin of being the traitor. Merlin runs away to fight said guy and almost dies, Arthur realises how stupid he was. Mutual pining and mutual idiocy (around 3.8k)

❤These Scars Will Bleed Arthur wants to apologise to Merlin for being a dick to him after he got back from the Serket sting. He hardly gets a few words in before Merlin collapses from his injuries, and Arthur freaks out and treats him. Also with a magic reveal because Arthur isn’t as stupid as he seems (at least... not in this AU lol) (around 2.9k)

trusting a friend Platonic Merlin and Leon!! Leon figures out that Merlin always has something to do with Camelot’s miraculous victories WAY before he figures out that he does it with magic. Leon finds out and is supportive and helpful, I love this, and I love him (around 400 words)

the things that you hold MERWAINE!! And background Arwencelot! Merlin had a whole plan on how he was going to reveal his magic to Gwaine, but it goes completely out the window when he just blurts it out the moment Gwaine shuts the door behind him. Merlin rambles, Gwaine already knew, Arthur’s intense stupidity is mentioned in passing. This is so cute and also kinda funny I love it (around 1.6k)

On Shapes and Stories No matter how much he tries, not matter how Gaius tries to teach him, Merlin just can’t read (dyslexia heavily implied but I guess they didn’t really have a word for that in medieval times). Arthur finds out and is adorably sympathetic and kind about it instead of taking the piss (around 2.5k)

❤❤Loyalty and Magic MERLIN/LEON!!! A set of three short stories about Merlin and Leon’s relationship blooming. I LOVE these and I wish that the author had carried on, but the three there are still beautiful :D (1.4k, 1.9k, 1.7k)

❤❤❤Sweet as Cherry Wine Mentions of Merwaine and Merthur but not the point. What is essentially a long ass character study on how Merlin sings really well. No specific narrative, just bits and pieces throughout Merlin’s life and how people react/find out about his singing. A small section of OOC Uther, which is nice. Bits and pieces of angst as well. I really love this, it’s just so gentle and beautiful, the relationships between characters (especially Merlin and Lancelot, and Merlin and Gaius) are wonderfully written (around 16.6k)

❤The Tear in Your Eye FREYLIN!!! Except it’s angsty. It’s the medieval equivalent of Valentine’s Day, and Merlin explains to a concerned Gwen why he’s so miserable. Lovely Gwen/Merlin friendship, sad man times for Merlin though (exactly 1k)

A Moment's Peace Canon!Era Lancelot has tics!! He’s having a bad week and Elyan helps him out. This is so unique and soft and I love it!! (around 2k)

Gwaine's Misadventures in Babysitting FREYLIN!!! Gwaine accidentally agrees to babysit Merlin and Freya’s kids, and it goes about as well as you’d expect. Background Arwen as well. It’s so fluffy and funny and despite my belief that Gwaine is inherently good with children, this is hilarious (around 1.7k)

❤❤A Mark Of Survival Everyone survives Camlann, but Arthur is feeling self-conscious about his new scar. Merlin shows him his own and shares some words of wisdom. They kiss in the end which is also pretty great. I LOVE a scar reveal, but this one is so wholesome and loving (around 1.7k)

❤Freya FREYLIN!!! Angst again, sorry. Merlin has a nightmare and talks in his sleep, Arthur asks who Freya is. Merlin explains, and Arthur is unusually soft and nice about it (around 900 words)

Smiles MERTHUR!! Arthur is a dumbass who realises all of a sudden that he’s in love with Merlin and loves to see him smile. Showing affection through gifts is Arthur’s deal, and Merlin is confused, all the way up until he isn’t (around 1.9k)

"I feel strange." MERTHUR!! Background Morgwen. Merlin (and Gwen) has been away for a few days and Arthur visits Gaius because he feels unexplainably... odd. Gaius is very exhausted and slightly amused. This is so funny and cute, Arthur really is clueless (around 300 words)

Proposal Madness MERGWENTHUR!! Merlin, Gwen, and Arthur all independently plan to propose on the same day. Fluffy chaos ensues (around 1.8k)

Soft Epilogue MERTHUR and MORGWEN!!! Asexual Merthur representation, and also two lovely stories, one told by Merlin about them getting together, and one told by Morgana about how she noticed them. I don’t know how to describe it it’s just... so uniquely written. Deffo recommend :D (around 4.4k)

How to Woo MERTHUR!! Arthur is gay and dumb and takes tips from a How to Woo book to try and impress Merlin. It... doesn’t really work, until he shoves the book in Merlin’s face and says “look at this.” Arthur is so emotionally constipated I love him so much (around 2k)

❤Out of the rain Background Merthur!! But mostly just platonic between all of the knights!! Arthur has a tent, the others do not. He thinks it’s ridiculous that they don’t just invite themselves in and make themselves comfortable. SNUGGLE PILE!!!! (around 1k)

All dressed up The knights are training when Merlin appears wearing a dress because he lost a bet. Arthur realises, in a very subtle way, that he might just be a tad homosexual (around 800 words)

❤❤Would You Let Me Die Arthur is awake when Merlin reveals his magic to Uther’s spirit. He comes to terms with it fairly quickly, but Merlin dies pretty much immediately after. Arthur won’t have that, so he uses the Horn again and basically drags Merlin’s spirit back to the world of the living. Angsty and cute and funny! (around3.6k)

Like a Kicked Dog Arthur/Lancelot platonic!! Background Arwen. Lancelot manages to break himself out of Morgana’s hold as a Shade, and comes back as himself, stumbling into the Throne Room feeling scared and guilty. He comes clean about everything, and Arthur of course immediately forgives him and treats him so gently and softly and just helps him. An odd mix of angsty and fluffy (900 words)

Guilt FREYLIN!!! The knights and Arthur follow Merlin when he sneaks out after curfew just to see him meet up with Freya and cry his eyes out about how miserable and alone he is, and how many lies he’s had to tell. The second chapter is just like... a small funny story of Merlin being incapable of being able to tell the difference between a big truth and a little truth and Freya has to help him. Cute, Hopeful ending :) (around 3.2k)

Hell's Coming With Me MERTHUR!!! A vengeful sorcerer comes back to Camelot years after being banished to turn Merlin into an example. He kidnaps and hangs him in the courtyard so Arthur feels what all the loved ones of executed sorcerers felt. Except Merlin is immortal so there’s a happy ending yay! (around 1.6k)

If You Like to Talk for Hours, Just Go Ahead Now After things die down, Merlin and Lancelot finally have a chance to just catch up. Fluffy and platonic (around 500 words)

❤❤Knocked Out Merlin gets a serious head injury and the knights (including Arthur) look after him. this is so sweet and lovely and I love it!! Merlin being looked after for once!!! (around 2.8k)

Willpower Uther asks Merlin to spy on Arthur for him, and Merlin, Arthur, and eventually Morgana and Gwen, turn it into a competition to see who can come up with the wackiest story before Uther realises that Merlin’s been lying to him. This is so funny. I love everyone just... fucking with Uther with NO consequences (around 1.2k)

❤Cooking Lessons MERGWEN!!! Merlin and Gwen have some free time in the morning so Gwen tries to teach him how to cook. So fluffy, I love it. This pairing really doesn’t get enough love! (around 300 words)

❤Breaking Cages Merlin and Arthur get trapped in a well and almost die. Arthur promises a dead girl’s spirit (the one who had trapped them in said well, coincidentally) that once he’d King, magic will be free. Angst and then softness (around 3.3k)

Guarded by Love LANCELOT/ARTHUR!! Lancelot is allowed to stay in Camelot after he kills the Griffon as a guard, and he and Arthur fall in love (all part of Merlin’s plan, of course) and Merlin stands guard whilst they have lil dates. So cute!! A rare-pair!! (around 1.5k)

Unthinkable PERCIVAL/ELYAN!!! the two of them come to the rather horrifying conclusion that they couldn’t bare to watch the other die. First kiss :D (around 1.1k)

burning up MERTHUR!!! Post magic reveal, Merlin gets really sick and almost dies and everyone panics and frets. Merlin gets looked after again!! YAY! (around 2k)

Perspectives 5+1 Different people’s opinions on Merlin. Somehow, a whole bunch of people independently come to the conclusion that Merlin is some kind of Fae creature. It’s funny, right up until the end where it’s Merthur-y softness (around 3.2k)

❤❤let my arms be your safety net Arthur doesn’t remember what a hug feels like, and accidentally lets that slip. Merlin decides that he has no choice but to hug him right there and then. Lots of underlying angst but the fluffy payback is WELL worth it :D (around 1.5k)

Fault Lines in My Armor MERTHUR!! An alternative for the Disir episode. Merlin reveals his magic and cries a bit (quite a lot) and Arthur is negative for all of 10 seconds before he gets all soft. Happy/hopeful ending (around 2.3k)

Mo Anamchara MERGWEN!! Gwen accidentally discovers Merlin’s magic and reveals her own!! They kiss!!1 I love it!! So soft!!! (around 900 words)

That of the Other Half MERTHUR!! Vague smut in the middle but not really. The boys are stargazing and something feels different. Merlin is a poet at heart but Arthur is still shit at expressing himself and it’s adorable (around 900 words)

❤❤❤Rules The knights (and Merlin) ask Arthur how Uther used to train knights and are horrified when Arthur tells them. Big TW for child abuse. Arthur doesn’t realise how bad it was until Merlin asks how Arthur would feel if those things had happened to him instead. Arthur suffers a bit of a breakdown when it all suddenly hits him at once, and the others look after him. I just LOVE this. don’t get me wrong, it’s angsty, but it’s beautiful (Leon and Gwaine’s reaction are particularly dear to me. Gwaine being protective over Arthur is just such a rare thing to see and I love it) and has a happy/hopeful ending (around 2.9k)

sleepin' in your arms, still dreamin' Merlin suffers from a headwound whilst he and Arthur are stranded in the middle of a blizzard. Arthur looks after him. Ultra soft and fretful Arthur!! (around 2.5k)

❤❤❤Never Let You Go Eventual MERTHUR!! Merlin was abused horrifically in the past by a group of visitors coming back to Camelot again. Arthur, and than the Gang, find out somehow and look after him. This is just.... look I normally don’t have the attention span to read anything longer than 8k, but this is EPIC. There is quite a lot of angst (and some fairly graphic descriptions of torture/past sexual assault) but the comedy (Sir Esmerelda the Assassin Eating Goat) is GOLD and the ending is beautiful!!! The OCs are also incredible!!! I love this!!!! Amazing!!! (around 63.4k)

It's The Little Things Background Arwen, but mainly platonic Merlin/Arthur. Arthur notices that Merlin is feeling a little down and gets him some flowers to cheer him up. This is just so soft and the friendships are written so beautifully and I love it. This fic says FUCK toxic masculinity (around 1k)

Protective Percival Merlin is injured and Percival is the one to look after him. Merlin also reveals his magic in an effort to heal himself (only to Percival though). Just... the way Merlin trusts Percival immediately and without hesitation... I love it (around 1k)

does he know? MERTHUR!! Arthur gets enchanted so that he should fall in love with Merlin but... he doesn’t act any different. Arthur and Gaius try to convince Merlin that the spell just didn’t work, but Merlin is worried something terrible is going to happen. The truth comes out eventually, and it’s rather sweet (around 2.5k)

He Didn't Belong To The Night Merlin/Leon/Elyan Soulmate AU!!! Hella angst to start with, but it has a LOVELY ending (around 800 words)

❤Bowstring Leon almost dies protecting Arthur from an assassin overnight. Arthur panics and is very emotional because he thinks he’s about to lose him. It’s very short and has a happy ending, but it’s just a lovely study on the relationship between Arthur and Leon (around 800 words)

The same old someone (that I knew) MERGWEN!! Gwen worries about when she kissed Merlin. Merlin reveals his magic to her and they get together!! Arthur is supremely awkward when he walks in on them and I just... love him. (around 900 words)

So I'm Gonna Love You (Like I'm Gonna Lose You) MERTHUR!!! Arthur is reincarnated, but his return brings back Merlin’s nightmares. Merlin tries to be self sacrificing and cut of his developing relationship with Arthur to save himself down the line, Arthur isn’t having it. WONDERFUL ending (around 2.8k)

(I'm begging you to) keep on haunting me MERTHUR!! Merlin uses the Horn of Cathbhadh semi-regularly over the centuries, unaware that Arthur can see and hear him when he does. Arthur half wants Merlin to move on and never come back, because he can see how much pain Merlin’s grief is causing him, but he half wants Merlin to never stop coming because otherwise he might go insane, and he can’t bear to be alone. Eventual happy ending (exactly 6.5k)

❤❤Wanna talk about it? LEON BEING A BAMF!!! 6 times Leon cuddles one of his friends to sleep and comforts them and is the perfect big brother, and 1 time they all repay him. I just.... this is the absolute perfect characterisation of Leon in my mind and I love this so much (around 8k)

Freedom MERCALOT!! Just a soft moment between Merlin and Lance post magic-ban-repeal!! (around 600 words)

❤❤The Coronation of Merlin Emrys Hunithson MERGWEN!!! After Arthur’s death, Merlin and Gwen fell in love and got married. Gwen finally persuades Merlin to let her crown him King. This is just... super soft and I love it. It doesn’t diminish Arthur’s (canon) relationships with either of them, but it also doesn’t feel rushed of cheap that Mergwen happened after his death. Merlin often feels guilty about that but Gwen just tells him to stfu and deal with the fact that they’re in love. (around 2.3k

So kiss me, darling MERGWEN!!! Merlin and Gwen share a few more kisses after Merlin almost dies in ep 4. CUTE!! I LOVE!!! (around 3.5k)

❤Man's Best Friend MERTHUR!! Merlin and Leon are immortal, but when Arthur comes back, Merlin’s body... quits on him, basically. He’s been in survival mode for 1500 years, so now that Arthur is back and things are better, he develops SEVERE anxiety. Merlin gets a service and support Dog (and he calls it Gaius. To tell you, I sobbed) (around 2.5k)

In Plain Sight MODERN COLLEGE/UNI AU MERTHUR!!! Merlin is blind, and Arthur is ultra protective. I normally hate Time-Era-Change AUs but I LOVE this!! I’m just a fan of any blind!Merlin fic to be honest (around 8.2k)

❤You’re my angel, baby MERTHUR!! Arthur calls Merlin his guardian angel and Merlin promptly starts... crying? Merlin has severe self esteem issues and Arthur sees fit to put that right. This is so soft and loving and wonderful and just... I love it (around 1.1k)

A Trip to Ealdor MODERN AU MERTHUR!! Arthur is autistic and Will is a complete ARSEHOLE and Merlin and Hunith put him in his place. (Look I normally love Will but he is NOT nice in this) (around 6k)

Unwritten Rules The knights have to explain to a bewildered Mordred that when you find Merlin asleep in random places... you do NOT wake him up. Leave him be, because he doesn’t get nearly enough sleep, and if he NEEDS to be moved, fetch Arthur. He’s the only one who can pick Merlin up without waking him (and without getting punched in the face on reflex) (around 600 words)

❤❤The Essetir Knight MERTHUR!! An abuser from Merlin’s past reappears in Camelot, and everyone worries about him. Arthur figures it out, but not before it’s almost too late. LOT of angst, pay attention to the TW warnings. This is so well written and I love the ending and the developing relationship between Arthur and Merlin and the ending is just lovely as well (around 47k)

Cuddle Bug Merlin wakes up in a good mood and gives everyone a hug. That’s it. That’s the fic. And it’s so cute (around 1k)

❤Do You Have Need of Me? THIS HAS BEEN UODATED!! sO i’VE RE-ADDED IT TO THE LIST!! Merlin is Camelot’s Spymaster (and also essentially an assassin) and has been basically since he arrived in Camelot. He reveals himself to Arthur when he becomes King, and the two of them have to navigate their new dynamic. Merlin feels a little lost and unsure because working as Uther’s Spymaster is VERY different to working as Arthur’s spymaster. Uther was obviously not the nicest. War happens, more is revealed, an eventual happy ending. Lots of God!Merlin towards the end :D (around 33k)

Keep Me Warm MERCALOT!! Merlin and Lancelot get stuck in a snowstorm and it’s fluffy and lovely and a getting-together fic. Merlin is pining just a little and then they kiss :D (around 2.3k)

Moving Day MERLIN/GWEN/GWAINE!! Gwaine moves into Merlin’ and Gwen’s place in their modern day Dragon Sanctuary. It’s just sweet and lovable (around 3.4k)

The Manservant's New Clothes MERTHUR!! Gwen and Morgana spend ages chasing Merlin around trying to get him into a new wardrobe with eventual success. Arthur is a DUMBASS who thinks that giving Merlin a friggin handjob is the only way to distract him from the fact that he heard a noise in the room (it was a suitably horrified George, sent in to steal Merlin’s clothes by Morgwen) (around 3.4k)

A Golden Coin (With Two Sides) Pre-Merthur! Merlin gets cursed to behave temporarily like a dragon, meaning Arthur needs to keep him busy by providing him shiny things to hoard until the spell wears off. Merlin starts hoarding Arthur, which everyone else laughs endlessly at (around 900 words)

Little Miracles It’s meant to be platonic Merthur, but the ending is a little *hand dip*. One of Gaius and Merlin’s patients die in childbirth; Merlin takes the woman’s kids in and becomes both the kids’ and all the knights’ mother. It’s all very sweet and domestic.

❤❤Merlin in disguise MERTHUR!! Gwaine discovers Merlin’s magic, and also his raging self-esteem issues. He comes up with some stupid scheme for Merlin to use his magic to disguise himself and find out what people actually think of him. Arthur admits that he’s in love with Merlin to a random stable-boy (who isn’t a random stable-boy) and George and Leon are apparently in the know? Much to Merlin’s confusion? I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! (around 21.5k)

Endurance Platonic Elyan and Everyone. Elyan breaks his hip whilst out and about and everyone has to look after him when he struggles with the confinement to bed. Everyone is so sweet, especially Leon and Merlin (around 2.1k)

the light in your love for me MERTHUR!! Modern day Merthur head to Blenheim Palace at Christmas to see the light show. Arthur has a surprised. This is just... SO sweet and fluffy and🥺 (around 3.9k)

Revelations MERTHUR!! Merlin reveals his magic in a life or death situation, and Arthur goes “*sigh* fuck, guess I gotta change everything about the way my Kingdom works.” Magic is legalised, Merlin reveals himself to a couple of his friends, and Arthur and Merlin go from awkwardly dancing around each other to being... engaged?? (around 6k)

❤A is for Alone, which you should never be Platonic Arthur/Gwaine/Merlin!! Arthur and Gwaine slowly figure out that Gaius (he bad in this) is not the best guardian, and remove Merlin from his care and look after him (around 4.1k)

❤❤To Forgive Yourself (You Need Courage) Eventual Merthur!! Arthur drives a huge wedge between himself and Merlin post magic reveal by being obviously uncomfortable with his magic and asking him to keep it to a minimum (despite it’s new legality). Arthur is a bit of an arse in this one, but the truth comes out in the end. Angst and then a lovely fluffy ending (around 5.8k)

I'm under the mistletoe (you are the one) MERTHUR!! Morgana deliberately traps Merlin under some magical mistletoe, where he’ll only be able to move from the spot if the person he loves kisses him. Fluffy endinggggg :D (around 2k)

Around the Corner (Secrets Lie) Elyan spots Merlin interrogating and then killing a would be assassin and then... going about his business. He’s very unnerved. This makes it sound super edgy and it is a little bit, but it’s also kinda funny (around 2k)

❤❤For Your Information Modern MERTHUR!! I ADORE this!! Arthur comes out to his father, and Gaius introduces Uther to Merlin, his gay nephew, so that Uther can ask some questions. Uther keeps turning up at Merlin’s place of work to basically interrogate him on the gay agenda/lifestyle. I don’t know how to say this any better, but Uther is incredibly homophobic but like... it’s endearing?? He’s trying SO HARD to understand everything so he can be a better father to Arthur. Instead of trying to change Arthur he’s trying to change himself. Then, once he gets it, he tries to set his new friend up with his son. It’s just... this whole thing is so good and so funny and we know I LOVE Good!Uther!!!! (around 9.8k)

"Duck." Platonic Arthur and everyone. It’s Arthur’s birthday but he’s mostly just sad about his mother. Everyone tries to make him feel better, even Gwaine, who gets him a very unusual but much loved birthday present. This is so sweet and wholesome I love it (around 1k)

❤With You I'm Warmest Established Merthur and then MERGWAINETHUR! Gwaine falls into a lake in winter and Arthur and Merlin look after him, warm him up. This is just cute and sweet and hopeful and warm and lovely (around 4.8k)

The Land of Plenty MERTHUR!!! Winter comes around and Merlin begins nicking more food than normal. Gwen has a heart to heart with Arthur where she explains how winter works in small, poor villages like Ealdor, and Arthur swears to Merlin that Camelot isn’t like that, that he’ll never have to worry about food again. (around 1.1k)

an intimate routine [an art he had perfected] MERTHUR!!! Arthur used to hate shaving, now he loves it. Just a small moment in Merthur’s routine as Merlin helps Arthur shave. It’s a reflection of the love and trust between them, and it’s so sweet (around 2.2k)

Operation Woo Arthur Modern day Merwaine and then MERWAINETHUR! Merwaine are both in Love with Arthur, and on the group’s annual trip there’s a mix up with rooms and Arthur has be in the same room as them. They tell him there’s only one bed. This is so funny and sweet and I love it so much (around 5.3k)

In your arms MERLEON!! Merlin and Leon predictably get stuck outside the city in a storm and have to cuddle for warmth. Sweet, fluffy, not much else :D (around 600 words)

❤If we could just put our love’s broken heart back together again  MERTHUR!! In a moment of anger, Arthur says something incredibly cruel to Merlin. Arthur has to find him and apologise and express his love properly. Angst, followed by more angst, followd by a cute fluffy ending (around 1k)

Carry Each Other MERCALOT!! Lancelot finally lets Merlin tend to his wounds after they take Camelot back, and also decides he’s sick of denying himself what he wants, and that he deserves to go after what he loves. Merlin reciprocates of course. FLUFF, Lancelot finally having some self-love (around 3k)

skinny love MERTHUR!! Arthur asks Merlin to sit with him and taste test his food. Then starts ordering another plate for him. He’s very confused until Gwen explains and he comes to the rather amusing conclusion that he’s dating the Prince. This so so funny they’re both so emotionally inept (around 1.3k)

The most massive characters are seared with scars Merlin’s scars are accidentally exposed and he runs away to have a panic attack. Leon is the one to find him and calm him down (being the only one to know about Merlin’s magic). Merlin and Leon being besties is one of my favourite thing I LOVE this!! (around 1.2k)

❤❤and for you i would wait until the earth sinks beneath the sea (even if we never are to be) MERTHUR SOULMATE AU!! Arthur pretends they aren’t soulmates, Merlin knows but goes ages thinking that it isn’t reciprocated (rare, but possible). Arthur finally, subtly reveals that he knows, but is protecting Merlin from Uther because he knows that Uther would see it as a weakness, and kill Merlin without hesitation. Merlin reveals his magic as a way of showing Arthur that he can look after himself. Lots of angst in the beginning, but the ending is so hopeful and lovely and smoochy (around 5.6k)

❤When it's over MERGWENTHUR!! Merlin is struggling after the Lamia, Gwen and Arthur help. Fluffy and cute (after the angst at least) (around 1.9k)

Marks Another MERTHUR soulmate AU!! Soulmates get matching scars whenever they’re partner is injured. Merlin gets stabbed again and Arthur decides he’s had enough of pretending. Magic reveal, happy kissy ending :D (around 900 words)

Two Weapons and a Promise An odd one. But so very good. Dragoon shows up to talk to Arthur after Morgana takes over Camelot. After a good conversation in which Arthur is forced to consider some things, Dragoon tells Arthur of Merlin’s magic. Hopefuly ending, and a very clever plan on Merlin’s (and the author’s) part (around 2k)

take up arms (your sister is cold) Elyan and Gwen bond before the wedding. Gwen is nervous and Elyan comforts her and tells her how amazing she is and how suited to being Queen she is. So sweet and soft and I love it (around 700 words)

Just Let Me Help You Platonic Merthur! Merlin finally fins a quiet moment to confront Arthur about holding his emotions in after Morgana takes over Camelot. Arthur finally lets go and allows himself to grieve all that he’s lost and lets Merlin comfort him (around 700 words)

After Sleep GWAINECELOT!! Lancelot has a nightmare and Gwaine comforts him. Quiet and soft and lovely (around 400 words)

once in a golden hour, cast to earth a seed MERGWEN!! Gwen discovers Merlin’s magic, but it doesn’t put her off for all that long and they get together. I love this ship and I wish it had more content, so here :D (around 4.1k)

~

OK so that's what I got for now!! I guess I'll keep this list updated with any others I find?

Hope y'all enjoy these as much as I did!!

(UPDATED 28TH DECEMBER 2021)

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

i love your work! i hope i can download it 😂 i was wondering if you have something like this?

merthur au where merlin is tired of hiding everytime hes trying to help the troupe is in danger with his magic. and fearing for his life as well as arthurs reaction, he invented a spell where he can make himself invisible so he can help arthur and the knights everytime theyre in danger. he practiced with lancelot for sometime until he perfected it and the next time theres bandit attack, he doesnt have to hide, not literally, but he became invisible pushing bandits away from the knights, removing tipping their weapons away from them and the the likes. then the gang kept thinking that theres a spirit guiding them and whatnot while merlin continue rolling his eyes for the absurdity of it all?

(This is #31 on This List)

Oooooh this is gonna be funnnnnn!

~

Yeah so, Merlin is sick and tired of not being able to use the full extent of his magic, or at least a little more of it than normal, so instead of hiding behind a tree the whole fight, he pretends to hide behind a tree and then makes himself invisible and walks straight back out. Maybe other magic users can still see/sense him, so they're always "WTF?!" but Merlin just starts... flinging people around... setting fire to people... summoning lightening.... all silly goofy shit that's OBVIOSULY sorcery. And the knights are all flabbergasted, and then Merlin comes out from behind the tree again and goes "Wow, weird, huh?". But then he sees the error of his ways because fucking Gwaine like... bends down on one knee and bellows to the sky "OH SPIRIT!!! WE THANK THEE FOR YOUR PROTEC-" he then gets tackled because he's making too much noise and attracting more attackers but... the sentiment sticks. Everyone thinks there's a ghost like... anti-haunting Arthur, protecting him, making his life easier. Lancelot and Mordred do NOTHING to quell these rumours, in fact they actually encourage them. Merlin is not very impressed, but they don't care, this is the best fun they've had in years.

Perhaps I shall make this Mercalot🤔

~

This is silly goofy Phoenixx, silly goofy I tell you :D

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

slut Merlin is hilarious and absolutely fantastic, oh my gosh ksjdkshdksjsks here's my live reaction, because it was just so glorious that i absolutely couldn't stop myself. i honestly love this so much ksjdskdjksjdsk

here goes:

the way i burst out laughing at Arthur being so shy explaining what he meant ksjdksjdksksks

LANCELOT KDFJKSDJSKKSKS

knights revealing themselves was somehow so on point???? hahaha

"having had such a wrong idea of what Merlin is like as a person" ksjdksjdksjs

and in comes Merlin! and out come the knights' true natures hahahaha

oh Arthur skjdksjdksjdkskd

MERLIN OH MY GOSH

LEON HAHAHAHAHA YOU TRIED MAN, YOU TRIED

Arthur has just probably had one of the biggest shocks of his life, of course he's not good

PERCIVAL HAHAHAHA gosh, he's usually so, like, calm and on the quieter side???? and then suddenly this side of him comes out and it's hilarious

ARTHUR OH MY GOD

poor Leon hahahahaha

(Referencing This Fic)

I'm so pleased that you loved it this much!! Long reactions like this really keep me going, I appreciate it more than you know!! :D

Arthur is struggling, poor guy, and Leon just... wants this to be over. Percival and Gwaine are having the time of their lives, and Lancelot can never look ANYONE in the eye again. Elyan is just thankful that the others are taking the limelight off him lol.

Percival 100% saw Arthur about to faint and his IMMEDIATE thought was "Yes, please." and we respect him for that.

~

Next will be #59 from This List, likely some time next week :D

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

How would everyone react when their partner or surrogate went into labour?

I said surrogate in case you don’t like mpeg.

I would like at least one of the pairings to be Arthur/Merlin. But I would really love the rest of the group to also be paired up!

(Headcanon Masterlist) (Full Masterlist)

You would be right in saying I don't like mpreg!!! It freaks me out and I, to be honest, hate it😅

I'll do a real mix of pairings for you!! (Which means a few people will be repeated as well)

Merthur -  Arthur FREAKS, from beginning to end without pause. Merlin has a jolt of adrenaline when he's first told "it's started" but otherwise manages to keep himself calm. He worries, of course he does, but he's rational about it, probably helped by his medical knowledge. He does have to smack Arthur on the back of the head a couple of times when he's being silly (the stress is bad for the surrogate AND the baby), and has to take him out the room to give him a proper hug and stroke his hair when he gets hyperventilate-y at one point. Because of what happened to his mother, he tried to demand that Merlin was the one to donate, in case it ran in the family and it happened again, but Merlin changed his mind in the end (which is good really, because the council, though they begrudgingly accepted Merlin as King, likely would’ve demanded the bloodline continue on Arthur’s side). Arthur still worries because he doesn't want to be responsible for the death of the surrogate (she's fine of course).

Arwen - Gwen is fine. She’s the one to very politely ask the guards to fetch Gaius and Merlin for her whilst Arthur is panicking in the background. They have a few hours before things really get going, so maybe she sings to him or reads to him. No matter who the partner is, Arthur freaks out every time, fuelled by what happened to his mother. He doesn't want to lose Gwen. (Again, he doesn't, but it's something understandable to worry about).

Mergwen - They're both pretty chill. They're more excited than they are nervous so they have to remind themselves to like... calm down and relax. Though if they weren't together, say George burst into Arthur's chambers to tell Merlin that Gwen had gone into labour, he IMMEDIATELY drops whatever he was doing to SPRINT to her, before George even finishes speaking. Once he sees her, he's fine and they both turn into excitable puppies, but he's nervous and worried before then.

Perwaine - Percival is quietly nervous, in that he sits still and fiddles with his hands, but Gwaine is grumpily nervous, in that he paces up and down with a scowl on his face. They do manage to help calm each other down a little, but neither of them fully relax until it's all over and they can see that surrogate and baby are ok. They're pretty quiet as well, maybe someone (probably Leon or Merlin) pokes their head in to ask a question ("Thought about names yet?/Thought about how many you want?" Etc) because they're clever and know that the two of them need a soft conversation to keep them calm and distracted.

Morgwen - If Gwen is carrying, Morgana panics, but no where near as badly as Arthur, and Gwen can calm her down really easily. She is aggressively protective though, she's loath to even let people wait outside the room, and almost scratches Arthurs eyes out when he makes a comment about her being possessive. Gwen talks her down and the Gang wait a little further down the corridor as a compromise. If Morgana is carrying, she's super blasé about it. Like... she carries on walking around and doing things right up until she has to push, and Gwen follows her around with snacks and water because she KNOWS she isn't going to be able to convince her to sit down and relax.

Gwencelot - Ok so Lancelot panics, but in a very calm way?? He’s speed walking around the room gathering various bags and snacks and water and blankets and calling for Gaius and Merlin and The King... at which point Gwen gives him a hug and tells him to calm the hell down. He also absolutely dotes on Gwen, which is sweet for a little while before the pain really starts and Gwen shouts at him to stop getting blankets and to sit down and shut the fuck up and hold her hand please. He does so, and he doesn’t complain once, not even when he subtly has to ask Merlin to wrap his knuckles when it’s all over because Gwen has one hell of a grip.

Merlyan - Let’s get into the rarer pairings, shall we? Merlin is calm, but a little less so than he would be in Merthur. Elyan is calm as well, and if Merlin doesn't have to focus on keeping Elyan calm, there's room for his own panic. Though it doesn’t last long before Elyan and Gaius, and probably the surrogate as well, talk some sense into him, and he has some epiphany moment where he’s like “I am literally magic incarnate, I can fix anything.”. He doesn’t need to fix anything of course, but it’s the thought that calms him down so no one denies it.

Mergana - Merlin and Morgana’s magic is so intertwined at this point he probably knows the exact time, down to the second, when Morgana is due to go into labour. If it comes unexpectedly due to stress or just... the weirdness of the human body, he feels it from across the castle. He panics at first, because the two of them have been through so much horror, they’re finally getting the happy ending they deserve, but what if it doesn’t work out? What if something goes wrong? Of course Morgana just rolls her eyes (and potentially persuades Arthur to drug him) and plays with their magic until he calms down.

Arthur/Lancelot - Once more, Arthur is panicking. Lance starts to panic, and then sees how freaked out Arthur is, so forces his own worries aside to help him. Except then all the comforting he gave Arthur actually sort of works on himself too, so it all works out great in the end. He also just keeps reminding himself (and Arthur) how much he trusts Merlin and Gaius; he knows surrogate and baby will be fine.

Morgana/Leon - Leon is worried in his head, but is an absolute pro at keeping it to himself. They have plans, and contingencies, and blankets and servants and snacks and everything ready to go, they just have to go with the flow and stay prepared. Leon is also a pro at being prepared. He knows that panicking outwardly will only annoy and stress Morgana, so the best thing he can do for the whole situation is just keep his cool, which he does very well.

Merwaine - It’s getting rather repetitive now, so the last few will be brief. Gwaine is scowl-y but that quickly stops so he can comfort Merlin. Merlin who isn’t panicking, but is very quietly worried, but not wanting to annoy Gwaine or get in the way of his pacing.

Mercalot - They just look at each other and take a breath before hurriedly moving around each other, perfectly in sync, the way they always are. There’s lots of pacing together and staring at each other, but they’re fine overall, if a little quiet.

Merleon - Leon calms Merlin down with a little work: some breathing exercises and some encouraging him to let his magic go. Once they get over the first very stressful hurdle, they’re fine. Maybe as a distraction, Leon reads aloud to him, or Merlin makes shapes and figures with his magic.

~

Hope that was the sort of thing you’re after anon!!

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Merlin asks the impossible of Lancelot;

The other knights watch on in horror as Lance refuses to allow Merlin to suffer.

TW: Violence/pain/blood. Assisted suicide (though only because they know he’ll wake up again).

No one had expected Merlin to get hurt.

The servant insists on coming along on every little adventure, never wears armour, and has a bad habit of jumping head first into danger, especially when his friends are in danger... so with the benefit of hindsight, they really should’ve seen this coming; Merlin was always going to be the first of them to die.

~

The Roundtable Knights (Leon, Elyan, Percival, Lancelot, Gwaine), The King, and The King’s manservant were on one of their various wacky adventures.

At this point, none of them really care to remember what it is they were doing; they were too busy trying not to panic at the blood coming from the wound on Merlin’s stomach, and the paleness of his face.

They had been captured by the villain of the week, and all bar Merlin and Lancelot had been shackled to the walls of their dungeon. Merlin was a wounded and slowly dying servant, and was therefor not seen as a danger, and Lancelot, after much begging, was unchained so he could make some sort of attempt to keep him alive.

It wasn’t working.

Everyone had tears in their eyes as they watched one of their dearest friends slowly bleed out, whilst Lancelot desperately tried to keep him awake and stop the bleeding.

The wound on its own wasn’t too bad. Definitely serious, but easily fixable with the right time and equipment. But they had neither time, nor equipment, and Merlin had already vomited once, and begun to shiver.

He had an infection and it was quickly going septic.

As Lancelot shook Merlin awake for the third time in as many minutes, the dark haired servant coughed violently, groaning as Lance rolled him on to his side, allowing the blood to dribble out of his mouth.

When the painful hacking stopped, he rolled back, blearily looking up at the tearful knight:

“Any... guards?”

Lancelot frowns in confusion, willing his tears away. If he lets on how scared he is, Merlin might freak out.... but... Merlin is a fully trained physician at this point. The sad truth is, he probably knew exactly what was happening to him.

The knight glances towards the door quickly, listening, before looking back down at Merlin:

“No, no one’s there.-”

He speaks quietly, in an attempt to stop the others hearing him, but they’re so focussed on the two of them that they hear anyway:

“-But either way, you don’t have enough strength to break us out Merlin, it would kill you.”

The other knights frown, even if Merlin wasn’t... injured, in what world could he possibly be able to break them out? But to be perfectly honest, they’re more focussed on his health right now, and trying not to cry.

Arthur speaks up, his voice shaky, before Merlin can answer:

“Just hold on Merlin. There’ll be a whole bunch of patrols looking for us, we’ll be back home in no time. I’ll even give you a day off, hear me?”

Gwaine clenches his teeth, and the other knights can’t look Arthur or Merlin in the eye. They all know he’s lying. The infection was too serious, even if they broke out right this second, and there was an army of Camelot Red waiting for them upstairs... no amount of treatment would save him now.

He was dying.

Merlin doesn’t even look in Arthur’s direction, still staring up at Lance and desperately trying to keep his thoughts at least vaguely coherent. The knight kept one hand pressed over Merlin’s wound, and moved the other up to his forehead, moving the sweat and hair back from his eyes as he mumbles:

“Check... my boot.”

The knight frowns, wondering if Merlin’s mind had finally succumbed to delusions, but at Merlin’s weak gesture and nod, he reluctantly pulled his hands away, and crawled down to his feet.

He runs his hands firmly down the length of Merlin’s boots, eyes widening when he feels something. He takes the shoe off and a small dagger, only about five inches long, clatters loudly to the stone floor. Lancelot curses and quickly picks it up, eyes zipping to the door in panic, but when no one comes, he relaxes and crawls back up to Merlin’s head.

There was no lock on this side of the door, so it couldn’t be used to break them out, and it was too big to jimmy the cuffs that held the others anyway, but before Lancelot can question Merlin’s insistence, the servant speaks, pain scrawled across his face as he wheezes:

“You... remember that... conversation we had?? Last... last month?”

Tears are falling freely from the other knights at this point; they were all desperate to hold on to hope, but their friend was in so much pain, and no one was coming for them any time soon.

Leon goes to question what Merlin was talking about, but before he can, Lancelot roughly shakes his head, the grip he had on the knife tightening and his knuckles turning white:

“No. Merlin there has to be another way. You... I can’t. Don’t ask me to do that... I... I can’t.”

Lancelot is breathing deeply, and Merlin gives him weak smile before grimacing in pain again; slowly lifting a frail hand to rest on Lance’s knee:

“Please... Lance... please.”

Lancelot lets out a sob, hand clamping over his mouth, and the other knights realise in horror what Merlin might be asking:

“You said you weren’t even sure if it was true... how do you know? What if I kill.... what if it doesn’t work??”

The tears in Merlin’s eyes overflow, but Lancelot can see only a fraction of fear. Mostly it’s just excruciating pain.

Merlin coughs again, blood dribbling over his chin as he groans, before gasping out a desperate:

“Please, Lance... it hurts... it hurts.”

Lance tries to stem the flow of tears from his own eyes, sniffing and taking deep breaths as he bites his lip.

It’s Merlin’s next rasping breath and whimper of pain, that has Lancelot give a shaky nod.

He wraps both of his trembling hands around the hilt of the dagger, holding it over Merlin’s heart.

Arthur yells and Gwaine lets out a pained cry of his own, but no one else makes a noise. This is destroying them, but they also knew that it was... merciful. It might be hours, even days, before Merlin died. But the agony would be cruel, and forcing him to hold on when there was no hope of a rescue would be torture.

Lancelot sobs openly, breathing deeply and shaking his head. He leans forward, pressing his forehead to the back of his hands; still shakily holding the dagger over Merlin’s chest:

“I can’t.”

Another wave of tears escape from Merlin’s clouded eyes, and he uses the last of his energy to move his hand on top of Lancelot’s head, running his fingers through his hair only once before his strength leaves him, and the arm flops to the floor:

“Please.”

Lancelot sits up and takes a fortifying breath, adjusting his grip on the dagger and staring at Merlin’s pained expression. He still hesitates, and his head whips up when Leon roughly whispers his name.

The two knights meet gazes, and Lancelot bites his lip, so hard he feels the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. Leon’s face is a mess, hair knotted and tears from his red-rimmed eyes trailing down his cheeks.

He gives one shaky nod, swallowing before saying:

“Do it. He shouldn’t suffer.”

Percival speaks next, more forceful than Leon, but still shaky:

“He deserves the mercy.”

Lancelot gives a shaky nod of his own, looking back down at a near-delusional Merlin and whispering, this time quiet enough that no one hears him despite their focus:

“If this doesn’t work, I’m going to be so mad at you.”

With that, he firmly pushes the dagger down. They all hear the sickening squelch, but no one can rip their gazes away as Merlin takes in a sharp breath before going completely limp.

His face goes slack, and his body stops trembling. No one in the dungeon bothers to hide their sobbing, as Lancelot rips the dagger out, and angrily launches it at the wall.

He collapses back at Merlin’s side, wiping tears away from his face as he ignores the others, focusing only on closing Merlin’s eyes and covering him with his cloak.

~

Time stretches on.

No one had stopped crying, not for even a second, but the loud sobbing and heavy breathing had stopped fairly soon. They were knights. They would grieve later.

Lancelot didn’t move from Merlin’s side, holding his stiffening hand tightly in his own as he stared blankly at the wall. The others couldn’t bring themselves to look at him, or the body steadily growing cold under his cloak.

None of them had moved, or spoken, or even really made any noise, for hours, so when Lancelot’s head whips down to look at the...  to look at Merlin, everyone’s attention is drawn to him.

He furrows his brows, and tilts his head as he stills, seeming to wait for something.

Elyan clears his throat, going to ask what’s wrong, but is frozen (like everyone else) as a wide grin spreads across Lancelot’s face.

Everyone is taken aback as he rips the cloak away, dumping it somewhere behind him as he puts his hands on Merlin’s shoulders, shaking them slightly and whispering:

“Come on, come on.”

A rasping:

“What are you doing, Lance-”

Comes from Gwaine’s direction, but Lancelot doesn’t even look up at he tells him to shut up.

Lancelot furrows his brow, huffing as he moves his hands down to where Merlin’s wound had been. He lifts the tunic up, and the others look away as he grimaces, before wiping at the skin.

Dried blood and puss comes away on his sleeve to reveal... nothing. The gaping, weeping wound was gone, replaced by a pink scar where the sword at entered him.

Lancelot smiles again, moving back up to Merlin’s head and giving him a gentle slap on his cheek.

At his murmur of-

“You’re all healed, Merlin. Come on, it’s time to wake up.”

-the others look back at him in confusion. At closer inspection, they see that colour has returned to Merlin’s skin, and his cheeks no longer seemed so sunken in.

Confused and desperate eyes rake down his body, and gasps fly up around the room as each of them notice the healed wound.

A chorus of “WHAT?” and “How is that possible?” and “What the genuine fuck?”, among other curses and bewildered questions, burst from the knights.

All of them pull against their chains, trying to get a closer look at Merlin, hopeful tears filling their eyes as they bruise their wrists. Lancelot pays absolutely no attention to them, back to shaking Merlin’s shoulders with one hand, and tugging his hair with the other.

Quick as lightening, Merlin sits up, eyes wide as he takes a deep gasping breath, before promptly choking on the blood still in his throat.

Lancelot sits back with, a hysterical laugh bubbling up from deep within him. He rubs Merlin’s back as the man violently coughs up the congealed blood, before falling back into the knight’s lap.

The others stare on in confusion and shock, as Merlin wipes his mouth with his sleeve, looking up at Lancelot and saying:

“I guess the Druids were right-”

He coughs a bit more, sitting up to support his own weight, before nervously looking at the door and mumbling:

“You don’t think anyone heard that, right?”

Lancelot laughs disbelievingly, putting a firm hand on Merlin’s shoulder (to comfort himself or Merlin, he doesn’t know. Maybe both):

“No ones come in hours, not even when we were all hysterically sobbing at you dying.”

Merlin looks at him with an apologetic grin, the others still not having processed what had happened:

“Aww, you care about me.”

Lancelot huffs, giving him a pointed look, and at the remnants of grief in his gaze, Merlin has the decency to look at least a little guilty:

“Sorry. I know that must’ve been hard. But hey, at least we know for next time!”

Lancelot growls, looking a little angry:

“If this ever happens again... Merlin I swear to the Gods I’ll.... I’ll...-”

Merlin interrupts him with a devilish grin:

“Kill me?”

Lancelot promptly punches him on the arm, yelling:

“YES! And I’ll bloody enjoy it this time, you dick.”

The servant holds his hands up in surrender, muttering apologies whilst still chuckling, and it’s then, that a loud-

“What the FUCK?”

-Explodes from Gwaine.

Merlin and Lancelot wince, before slowly looking to the others. They all stare at them with a mix of shock, confusion, and happiness, but when Merlin looks to Lancelot for support, the knight shrugs his shoulder and gives him a smirk, clearly meaning “you’re on your own lol”.

Merlin shakes his head and gives him a betrayed grimace before looking back a Arthur, who has tears once again building in his eyes:

“So... it’s a very long story but... I’m sort of... immortal? I only found out like a couple months ago and I’ve never actually put it to the test before so up until like... two minutes ago it was just a theory but... yeah. Can’t die. Or I can, but I guess it just doesn’t stick? I don’t really know, I have no clue how this-”

Merlin’s rambling is cut off by Gwaine bursting into hysterical laughter to his side. Arthur continues to stare at Merlin, but the servant looks away, staring at Gwaine in bewilderment as he gasps out:

“Only you... only you, could be immortal and.... and not know how or why. I swear Merlin... what the fuck is your life?”

Merlin looks indignant, loudly proclaiming:

“Hey! I might not know how, but I do know why, I’m not that thick, you arsehole!”

Gwaine carries on laughing, and Merlin isn’t sure if the knight actually heard him, but his attention is quickly drawn to Leon, as he asks:

“Ok then... why?”

Merlin winces and bites his lip, looking guilty as he reluctantly says:

“Uh... it’s a long story, and I can say “I’ll tell you later”, but you’ll never ask again and we can all pretend I didn’t just die??”

Gwaine’s laughter gets louder, and he’s joined by Lancelot lowly giggling to himself. Leon shakes his head in disbelief, before beginning to chuckle. Percival stares at Merlin in shock, and Elyan just looks kind of... weirded out? By the whole thing?

Arthur still stares blankly, and if Lancelot wasn’t too busy trying to stop himself from laughing at Merlin’s face, he’d be worried.

It’s Percival’s next words, getting louder as he goes on with a look of realisation on his face, that promptly stops everyone laughing, and breaks Arthur out of his stupor:

“You’re... you can’t be. Oh my Gods you are! You’re Emrys, aren’t you?! The only other immortals are the High Priests and Priestesses, and you definitely do NOT have the time for that so... oh my Gods I’m... you... Emrys?!”

Merlin and Lancelot look at him in bewilderment, the others having their shock slowly overtaken by confusion. After a few moments, Merlin squeaks out a:

“How do you know about that??”

It’s Percival’s turn to look indignant this time, as he responds loudly:

“I grew up with the Druids, with the prophecies! Why the fuck else would I have become so loyal so quickly to Arthur?”

Arthur has just enough focus on Percival’s words to look mildly offended, before the rest of what he said caught up with him:

“Ok! Everybody shut up!-”

Everyone looks at him in shock, and Lancelot gives Merlin a consoling pat on the back:

“-I have a lot of questions, and as your King, all of them are going to get answered-”

Everyone gives shaky nods, though Gwaine looks like he might start laughing again. The King looks to Percival, taking a deep breath and saying:

“-You’re a Druid?”

Percival shakes his head:

“No, but they’re very welcoming of outsiders. I spent a lot of time in their camps as a child, but I was never officially Druid.”

Arthur takes a deep breath and nods, looking back to Merlin as the servant gulps:

“And what the fuck is Emrys? How the fuck are you alive? And.... and... what the FUCK is going on??!”

Merlin nods, muttering:

“Yeah, that’s a fair reaction.-”

Before standing up and saying:

“And I’ll... uhh... tell you later? For now, we really should get out of here. I think they just locked us up and left and hoped we would all starve or something.”

Arthur growls, muttering something about “You WILL tell me later or so help me God...” but Merlin ignores him, instead putting his boot back on, picking up his knife, and grumbling about the state of his clothes.

Lancelot rolls his eyes, following him to stand, and giving him a knowing look. Merlin sighs, biting his lip again as he replies to the Knight’s wordless statement:

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Bloody cat’s out of the bag now isn’t it? None of them have swords, might as well go the whole way. God I’m never gonna wash this out.”

With that, he waves his hand, eyes glowing golden as the cuffs on each of the knights wrist’s fall to the floor, unclasped. Another wave of the hand has the door open, and before anyone can say anything, Merlin speed-walks out.

Lancelot follows him with another roll of his eyes and a fond smile.

At first, the knight thought he’d be worried for Merlin’s safety, but as he walks down the hall after the Warlock, Gwaine’s loud laughter, Leon’s quiet “Huh.” and Arthur’s bewildered “What the FUCK??”, from behind him have him break into another round of disbelieving giggles.

~

THE END

K so I didn’t realise that this had heavy Mercalot vibes until I proof read but,,, I ain’t mad about it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I hope y’all enjoyed! Head to This List to see what might be up next, and share your preferences :)

Same as always lads, you wanna write it out properly, go for it, credit and tag me✌

@powered-by-notes asked to be tagged in this so🧡