#merlin concept

[princess-of-morkva]

Merlin and Arthur as Orpheus and Eurydice

so we all know about how Orpheus's challenge was actually impossible from the start because if you truly love, you always turn back?

now make it merthur

merlin bargains with the sidhe, the keepers of arthur's sleeping soul in avalon, to allow him a chance to get arthur back. and to do that, he has to lead arthur out of the underworld without turning back to look at him (we all know the story).

arthur, having just woken up and absolutely confused about everything that's going on, keeps pestering merlin with questions, and most importantly, why wouldn't he look at him?

at some point, merlin can't take it anymore, overwhelmed with grief and longing as he is, he forgets himself, just for a second, and turns around to tell Arthur off as he's done many times before.

the second their eyes meet, merlin realises his mistake.

the next second, he's standing in front of the sidhe council again. arthur isn't there.

he is then told, that the price for disobeying the rule was for him to be trapped in avalon instead. arthur can still return to the world of the living, but he now has to do it on his own.

they also say that there is still a chance for merlin to leave avalon, but that is only possible if someone comes for him the same way he has come for arthur - through overcoming the boundary between life and death by the force of their love for him.

merlin doesn't even consider that an option, seeing that there is no one left alive to even remember him, let alone love him. he doesn't think it possible someone could love him, really (merlin's s5 incredible low self esteem "he won't even notice i'm gone")

imagine his surprise when arthur comes barging into avalon demanding merlin be handed back to him

[starrieisdelusional]

//taken from twitter and from a moot!!

after rewatching ep 1, i’ve noticed gaius comment abt merlin’s magic where he says like ‘oh but magic at a young age is impossible!!’ which makes me think that everyone have magic in them and can choose whether to practice it or not.

So after the magic reveal arthur was like: yeah sure let’s do magic i mean morgana became a powerful with in less than two years, gaius can heal people, merlin can stop time, sorcerers are trying to kill me left and right, how hard can it be?

And arthur proceeds to fail to do basically anything like idk lighting a candle (when he does learn it eventually he either can’t do anything at all or lights the room on fire. Basically because of his birth conditions, he has more magic than your average people and that’s made it harder to control meanwhile precision is everything in witchcraft (kinda like naruto w his chakra conditions))

[thefabledpheasant]

Not to go all doomed Yuri & doomed Yaoi on you guys, but picture this:

Arthur regularly says Merlin’s name in his sleep, but he has no idea he does that. Gwen’s heard him do it many times.

Gwen regularly says Morgana’s name in her sleep, but she has no idea she does that. Arthur’s heard her do it many times.

Neither one of them ever brings up that they heard the other. They just pretend like they don’t know the other is yearning for someone else.

[thedollopheadofcamelot]

OH MY GOD 🥺 OH MY GOD 🥺

💕💞💕💞💕

Merlin Cinderella au 🫣

I’m not good at writing but, I think it would be really cute to have a Cinderella au with everything being the same (setting and Arthur being the prince wise)

It would take place when Merlin just comes to Camelot, and instead of living in the castle, Gauis has a house/healing center in the lower town.

I don’t think the evil stepmother and sisters would come into play. But it would just be Merlin coming to Camelot like in the show and becoming quick friends with people in the kingdom (huge ‘everyone loves Merlin’ believer)

Uthur wants Arthur to marry to continue the bloodline and to secure him as next in line to rule. So he holds a ball for all eligible (noble) suitors in the kingdom (suspended disbelief of Uthurs possible bigotry 💀)

Merlin wants to go cause he thinks it’ll be fun but he can’t since he’s not a noble. He goes looking through Gauis’s old magic books to find a spell to change his appearance and accidentally summons a fairy godmother.

He gets his disguise but it’ll only last till midnight so he makes the most of it and causes as much mischief as possible, when else is he ever gonna get an opportunity to get into the castle and get away with anything he wants with no repercussions? (No one will recognize him 😈)

Arthur is overwhelmed with everyone practically throwing themselves at him so he gets away to the gardens( or something of that sort)

There he spots Merlin setting up a prank or something. He questions what he’s doing and Merlin says something like “are you a snitch?”

Merlin and Arthur proceed to pull pranks on a bunch of the nobles and Arthur has the time of his life for the first time in forever. Merlin doesn’t treat him like the prince, he treats him like just some guy and Arthur loves it.

They settle down back in the gardens with them both in a fit of laughter after their last joke. One of them makes a comment about having not danced the entire night, the overbearing music of the hall muffled but the quiet of the garden they dance together under the moonlight.

Arthur makes a comment about not even knowing Merlin’s name when the bells chime for midnight.

Merlin’s eyes widen like saucers and he takes off, shouting apologies as he goes. And in his rush off his neckerchief snags on one of the flower bushes.

Arthur finds the neckerchief and swears he’ll find that mysterious man again.

Merlin makes it back to Gauis’s hut just in time as the spell wears off and passes out in bed

The next morning there’s a royal decree to find the man danced with the prince and lost his neckerchief getting away

I feel that Arthur would be really determined to find him. And he would know that Merlin was not a noble, no noble would behave the Merlin did.

Arthur would personally go through the whole kingdom, house to house if he had to.

I feel like they would meet again in a really funny way too. Like Merlin would be delivering something for Gauis and they would run into each other like how they met in the show.

As soon as Arthur would hear his snarky comeback he would know that it’s him lol

Arthur would propose to him on the spot with the neckerchief

And they would live snark-ly ever after

[theroundbartable]

Imagine some guy overheard at the tavern that Arthur has a favorite manservant and like, plans to impersonate Merlin in order to kill Arthur.

He's like: if the King likes him so much, he must be the most efficient, kind, proactive servant to ever exist. Then he magically turns into Merlin, assumes Merlin's identity and tries to take over.

Attempt: poison the king.

Arthur: Merlin... What are you doing?

Imposter: Bringing you breakfast, Sire.

Arthur: *looking at large variety of food*... All that?

Imposter: Does this not please you, my Lord?

Arthur: is this... Is this revenge because I knocked you over at training the other day?

Imposter: no? Your majesty, I assure you-

Arthur: are you mad at me?

The imposter lasts for about 10 minutes until the real Merlin, supposed knocked out but of course fine because he's Emrys, walks back into the room.

Merlin: You're gonna eat all that? Don't you think you're fat enough?

Imposter: *blanches*

Arthur: *visibly relieved* Merlin, you're back!

Merlin: ... Arthur, I think you traumatised the assassin.

Arthur: it's not my fault! He did a shoddy job at impersonating you!

[immabitqueer]

I for one think it would be funny if Arthur (as the prince or king, not super important to this concept) met with some leaders of outlying villages of Camelot, like a medieval diversity initiative, to learn about the traditions of peasants/laborers ect. only to find out when the topic is changed to courting/marriage traditions that he and Merlin have been at the very least seriously courting for at least two years

[inalandofsadclowns]

The greatest mystery in bbc merlin to this day is just what was Arthur thinking every time he dragged Merlin into danger with him like some kind of emotional support plushie without any protection.

Sometimes I get the feeling Arthur thought he just made up Merlin in his mind and he isn't real. Like, he's just an imaginary friend who keeps him entertained, makes up silly words, understands him to the core and always has the right answers, often times answers he doesn't like, but the subconscious do be like that.

He doesn't need armour or any protection cause he isn't real. Plus it's easy to keep being mean to your best friend for no reason when you think he's actually you - and you're always mad at you

[emrys-and-his-king]

Merlin who was born blind and uses magic to see. His eyes are actually a light colour, closer to grey, but when using the magic that grants him sight they turn blue.

So, when he looses his magic both in existing plot lines and any other, he has to learn to navigate the world without sight, something he was able to avoid before.

This could be how he tells Arthur, maybe he gets some curse on him or someone uses a magic object to subdue his power and he goes blind once again and ha to tell the Knights that he can’t see without it.

[calamity-talvi]

concept...

Merlin is the embodiment of magic, strongest of them all, as magic itself. So what if he was so insanely immune to magical attacks that he didn't even realise when they had been aimed towards him.

For example, the evil sorcerer of the week attempts to cast magic towards the prince's manservant to do his bidding and Merlin just sneezes it off, or finds some hay on his shoulder and brushes it off. Either way it fails and Merlin is none the wiser.

This goes on for years, no matter what anyone tries Merlin magically resists it all, and never realises there has ever been attempts aimed towards him. Until one day, maybe out in the forest and the sorcerer is gearing up for their attack...

Sorcerer: Oh no it's you!

Merlin: Me? *points to himself confused before looking to see if the sorceror meant Arthur instead*

Sorcerer's buddy: Let's just attack him anyway, he can't be as strong as rumour says!

*Merlin and Arthur equally confused*

sorcerer after attempting to cast a spell on Merlin: It's no use! He's too strong, he keeps avaiding all of our attacks!

Meanwhile Merlin and Arthur are standing there equally perplexed. Merlin has been sneezing non-stop which confused Arthur as there wasn't a lot of pollon about and he was worried Merlin was getting sick with something.

Whereas Merlin's internally freaking out because he doesn't understand what he's done. There had been a couple scratches on Arthur's face from an earlier tumble in some brambles (Merlin will deny using magic to pay Arthur back for calling a last minute treck into the forest), but the scratches are gone. They keep disappearing when he sneezes!

Ultimately they defeat the sorcerer and his pals and carry on. It isn't until magic is brought back a few months/years later and the druids explain, that Merlin and Arthur learn all those sneezes and weird ticks of Merlin's had been his magic fighting off attacks without his knowing.

Now there is slight panic on Arthur's part any and every time Merlin sneezes or shivers or really anything.

Thank you to @theroundbartable who urged me to write this concept out <3

[takingasterix]

Queen Guinevere's guard dog (AKA the Court Sorcerer of Camelot)

quick little thing because i got bored and LOVE this concept

[princess-of-morkva]

also. we all know merlin amnesia fics, right? merlin gets hit by a spell, loses memories, etcetera-

but how about brain damage. how about a head trauma sickfic, where after days of being unconscious merlin wakes up in his room, with a bandaged head, surrounded by faces.

faces he doesn't recognise.

imagine a fic that actually depicts consequences of head trauma and amnesia on top of it. not magically caused amnesia that can be solved by finding the caster or the right spell or true love's kiss.

imagine character's actually having to deal with it as a medical issue and not some easily reversible curse.

imagine merlin waking up dizzy and weakened, absolutely confused by his surroundings and these strange people who insist he should know them.

imagine it from arthur's perspective, where merlin lays unconscious for days and might not survive, the overflowing relief when he finally wakes up, and then he opens his eyes and sees arthur and doesn't recognise him at all?

imagine having to go from wrestling with idea of his friend potentially dying to having him be alive, yet not the same person at all?

[starrieisdelusional]

more of 21th century arthur shenanigans in 500 AC camelot (but arthur is an internet kid and is unhinged)

previously:

Gwen crashing into merthur forced wedding

Temporary wedding officiant: you may now kiss the bride 21th-Arthur: (is about to kiss merlin) Gwen: Arthur!? What is the meaning of this!? Merlin: Gwen!! (struggles in his chains) Save me!!! 21th-Arthur: Oh shit this is awkward. Hello my beautiful wife Gwen: What is this!?!? (referring to the wedding decorations) are you cheating on me!?!? 21th-Arthur: yes Merlin: NO Arthur and merlin look at each-other, both look offended. 21th-Arthur: Guinevere sweetheart, i'm going to be honest when i say this (puts a hand on her shoulder) i want to rail him Gwen: ?????? 21th-Arthur: i got thrown into this universe and all i gotta say is if you give me 10 minutes alone with this man in a room one of us is walking out pregnant and it ain't gonna be me Merlin: he hit his head, pretty hard

About Percival

21th-Arthur: i can take him on Merlin: pfft- no you can't, even gwaine can't beat him ... Merlin: ...in a fight right?

tagging you again @theroundbartable !!!

based on this post!

[wildberriesforwildbitches]

I can't stop thinking about how sun and moon coded Arthur and Merlin are but not how you think. The more I think about it, Merlin is the sun and Arthur is the moon.

Arthur the moon who shines the brightest in the dark. A light that he wouldn't have without Merlin the sun who stood by him, believed in him, shined a light on Arthur similar to holding a mirror up to his face and showing Arthur not only the worst parts of himself but the best as well. Arthur the moon who has his dark nights as much as his bright ones. Arthur the moon who everyone looks at and admires. Arthur the moon who is angry to find out that Merlin the sun is more than just a big blob in the sky but is in fact an inferno, betrayed that the sun never told him after all this time they knew eachother and angry at the amount of times he felt merlin's burn without knowing why or how.

Merlin the sun. Who everyone naturally gravitates towards but never get too close, never allowed to get too close. Merlin the sun who nobody is even aware of because they live in the dark age, eternal night (looking towards Arthur the moon for light and hope) and then Merlin the sun rises like a sunrise. A golden burning ball of fire that shows everyone just how dark everything had been. Merlin the sun in the sense that everyone knows about him, but nobody KNOWS about him. The way you hear about something but dont believe it, not really, until you see it for the first time. There's something sneaky about using night as a cover but more often than not he used magic blatantly in front of everyone but like the sun, nobody is watching him or even looking at him because who tf looks at the sun?

One of my favourite things about Merlin and Arthur is that they can be both sun and moon. I think we see Merlin as more of a moon because it's all in his perspective but if we flip it around I have no doubt that Arthur would see Merlin as the sun. This bright thing that he can always depend on to shed light on things he never even thought to look at. This warm thing he can bask in like a lizard on a rock. He wouldn't have met half the knights without him. He would've been stuck in his father's shadow, no real friends, knights too afraid to fight him for real, servants too afraid to tell him he's an arrogant prick. Merlin is his light. Just like how Arthur is Merlin's light.

Bonus: Lancelot is a star because Arthur thinks he's like him, someone who didn't know the sun was a burning ball of gas but no turns out that he not only knew but he himself is one in his own way. A light in the dark. But unlike Arthur, Lancelot is his own source of light. He knew from day dot that he wanted to be a knight, to help people. He never faltered. Arthur has always second guessed himself, finding reassurance in others (then again merlin also doubts himself). Lancelot knew about merlin's magic and didn't for one second think about hurting merlin, knew he couldn't.

[theroundbartable]

I kinda want an episode where Uther realises how useful Merlin is as a spy and just uses him to spy on royal guests.

The poisoned chalice episode and then later the whole thing with the Dark Knight proved to Uther that Merlin is trust worthy, so he approaches Merlin and offers him that job.

Merlin: okay ... That actually works well for me, but I have one condition

Uther: Let me guess, you want more money

Merlin: no. You can't use me to spy on Arthur. He trusts me and I'm not going to abuse that trust.

Uther: ... What would Arthur have to hide from me?

Merlin: that's not the point. I want Arthur to be able to tell me if he like, wants to vent about a royal he's annoyed with without me having to tell you that he's annoyed by them. Or if YOU annoy him.

Uther: do I do that?

Merlin: no comment, but let me tell you something about that: any child is annoyed by their parents sometimes.

Uther: hmm ... Okay, I think I see your point. You're awfully loyal to him

Merlin: he's my friend.

Uther: I see... And that's your only condition?

Merlin: yes actually.

Uther: It's going to be interesting to work with you

Merlin: yeah, also wildly ironic

Uther: what?

Merlin: i said mildly iconic

[springs-hurts]

I love Kilgharrah saying to Merlin "An half cannot truly hate what makes it whole" And that implies Arthur can never hate magic, not truly. He himself might think he hates it, but deep down, in denial, he knows he doesn't. I love that. And I'm sad I can't write it and others are not using it to make Arthur's character more nuanced.

My most favorite headcanon is that magic loves Arthur, magic and Earth/nature/camelot. I love it sm, like imagine Arthur wasn't blind to branches falling all around him, he just thinks they're normal cause it's been happening since he was 3 year old and a tree lowered it's branches to let him have those tasty red fruits. It's nothing big.

anyway, back to main point. Arthur thinks he hates magic, as his father wants him to, but not really, he doesn't. Magic is part of him, both literally and figuratively. His other half is magic, he exists because of magic, how could he hate it?

[atomic-chronoscaph]

Excalibur - Movie poster concept art by Bob Peak (1981)