#my merlin fanfic

[cynthia39100]

“ Can I hug you?” 

Arthur was tired.

He had been woken up by a nightmare before dawn, tossing and turning on the bed for a good long hour trying to get rid of the image of his traitor sister on the throne. He had spent the whole day assembling the counsel, allocating personnel for the reconstruction of the kingdom, the investigation of the outlier villages, the diplomatic messages to the lords and other kingdoms and other stuff. In the evening he had gone to check on his father, who had sat beside the window and not responded to him in any way. Seeing his father like this had been more draining than the whole day’s meetings. Arthur couldn’t believe he missed the days when his father would berate his every decision. 

Arthur had every intention of passing out on the bed as he walked back to his chamber. He was so tired that when he opened the door, for a moment he thought he was in the wrong room. 

His room was full of colours. There had been only the brown of the wood and the red of the fabric, now there was yellow, blue, purple, pink, white and more. Flowers, he reallised belatedly. There were flowers everywhere, occupying his desk, his bed and the floor. There was even some dangling on the wall. 

“ People want to show their gratitude.” 

Arthur was startled by the voice. There was Merlin, standing beside the desk with a jug of wine. On the table, the food was still steaming. 

“ Took me a while to gather all this. I wrote down some of their words too. Put them with the flower. You can read them after you have dinner. You must be hungry,” Merlin said cheerfully. His smile was blinding. He put down the jug and hurried Arthur inside. His hands were a calming weight on Arthur’s shoulder. 

Arthur was tired. So tired. Which was probably why he said what he said. 

“ Can I hug you?” 

***

Inspired by the dialogue in this post Written for a game in LoM server

[adageyer]

boy do i love te

again, ethically sourced from tumblr

[mababwion]

“From now on,” Arthur declared. “This is where I judge you. Whatever you do from this point forward is how I will choose to remember you being. Because this isn’t just a second chance, this is a second life. We have all gone through entirely different things – we’re separate people. Yes, we can learn from the past, but only so we can plan for the future.

This is where the cycle ends."

[kissme-withyour-cherrylipstick]

I should have gone for a PhD in literature with a focus on Arthurian legend (BBC Merlin smut)

[jupiter-and-teardrops]

the hardest lines ALWAYS come from ao3 fanfics and I stand by this

Mostly thanks to @emilyelizabethfowl (their reblog contains many of the fic links!! thank u sm) and a few deep dives into my ao3 history, the sources of the quotes have mostly all been recovered! I apologise for not posting them all with proper credit originally, I truly didn't think the post would blow up so much, but the lesson is very much learned :) enjoy!

- number 1 is from merthur fic called Destiny Ordered You To Die, But I Willed You To Live by ironfamjam

-number 2 is from a klance fic called reach out for you (break these walls) by Paladin-Pile (UserFromPluto)

- number 3 is a batman fic called Home (jason centered) by Daisybirb

- number 4 is a zukka fic by I'm Not Angry Anymore by team_avatars_eyebags

- numbers 5 and 9 are from The Art Of Burning by hella1975, an amazing ongoing atla following zuko

- number 6 is a hualian fic called No paths are bound by cataclysmic_calamity (originally a thread fic but also fully uploaded on ao3)

- number 7 is a merthur fic called tell me every terrible thing you ever did (and let me love you anyway) by Stardustwrites17 (the quote is also originally from a poem apparently)

- number 8 is from a batman fic called Nature and Nurture by lurkinglurkerwholurks

- number 10 is from a steddie fic called let me know (everythings alright) by bexiguess

ALSO there is now a part 2 !! (which I swear is better organized)

[justaz]

au where merlin doesn’t know balinor is his father and he and arthur are chilling in his cave and balinor mentions hunith and merlin Locks In as he subtly questions the random man and boom arthur and merlin are aware that the last dragonlord is his father.

[tansyuduri]

Art by @kairennart for "Treat Me Warmly"

Arthur returned to the bed and pulled Merlin close to him. Then he looked away. 

“Have to stay close for warmth,” Arthur stumbled over the words, likely due to the cold, his tone almost apologetic. Merlin had to reassure him! 

“It’s fine. I enjoy it.” The words came tumbling out of Merlin's mouth before he could stop them. He wanted to hit himself and started screaming internally. WHY HAD HE SAID THAT!?

Arthur froze, turning his head so his eyes met Merlin's. Then his blue eyes narrowed. “Wait, you enjoy it? You enjoy me holding you?”

Merlin panicked. “No! I didn't mean– I mean, yes, but no! It doesn't have to mean anything, and yes... no… I… enjoy the warmth… I mean you holding me is a bonus! NO! I mean, I don’t enjoy it at all! I mean…”

“I enjoy it too,” Arthur mumbled as he held Merlin against him. A grin started to form on his face. “So, stop rambling.”

“I mean, we never have to talk about or, or do anything about it. I mean, not that there is anything to do anything about. I mean…” Merlin broke off as Arthur’s words registered. “You enjoy it too?” he stammered in disbelief. 

“Yes, Merlin.” Arthur looked at him and sighed.

Fic found here

[opera-is-not-cool]

i'm sorry but i find it lowkey hilarious that in almost every modern au merthur fic, arthur's a CEO/CEO's son. i know it's not intentional, but it's so funny to think that we immediately translate prince/king of an entire kingdom to the head of a business. because they hold the same power, resources, and money. like i feel like we SELDOM make arthur a prince in a modern au. nope. give our boy a corporate office job, he'll still hold the same power over people's income and means of supporting their families. AND I EAT IT UP EVERY TIME

[soulfulquail]

"Just... just hold me."

I really needed these words in a happier context.

[foxiwolf8]

Sooo where do we go from here ?

Will I ever stop drawing these two ? I think not, thank you very much

[merlinmylove]

Dragonlord reveal: The Darkest Hour rewrite

Bamf Merlin

The Prince Regent faces the Cailleach. “I am willing to pay whatever price is necessary” Arthur spoke, his voice steady with determination.

Merlin pushes him out of the way. “No. You will not”

“Merlin, stand down! This is not your time to play hero” Arthur pleads, trying to keep his wayward manservant at bay, desperate to keep the situation under his control.

But Merlin ignores him. He keeps his eyes focused on the Cailleach as he walks closer to the stone alter in front of the torn veil. “We know what price must be paid for the veil to close. A blood sacrifice”

“Indeed” The old crone smiled a wicked smile, “The witch killed her own sister upon the blessed alter, and tore open the veil between the worlds. A similar sacrifice must be paid to close it”

“Then I give my life to repair the damage my sister caused” Arthur tried yet again to step forwards, but once more Merlin interrupted him.

“A blood sacrifice, yes. You did not specify that a life must be taken. And I willingly give my blood”

“Merlin!” Arthur groaned indignantly as his servant ignored him.

The Cailleach moved closer to the pair, taking them in. Her eyes looked calculating as she observed their odd behaviour.

“And what would the blood of a servant be compared to the life of a prince?” she mocked. She knew of course that he was Emrys, she knew what powers he possessed. Perhaps she wondered how he would challenge her.

Merlin steadies himself, shoulders tighting and back straight, “I am the last dragonlord”

The Cailleach smiled.

“I am the son of Lord Balinor Ambrosius, third of his name, Duke of Elmet and descendant of the Fisher King.” Pausing for just a moment to gather his courage, he continued;

“I am the last of my kind, the last man in a lineage that predates the Roman Invasion. You ask what my blood is worth…Dragonsblood flows through my veins: the ancient creatures of the Old Religion, venerated and revered all over the world. My blood is that of dragons.”

Merlin could not keep his eyes off the torn veil in front of him. He could feel Arthur looking at him, probably distraught and angry, but he knew had to keep going. But then, In his peripheral vision, he could see Lancelot nearing the veil — no!

Merlin could not stand by and watch as another friend looses his life when he knew he could prevent their death. He is Emrys, magic incarnate, and the Cailleach knew it.

The magic inside him flared up. It’s not the first time he’s used his powers to speak change into existence. If he says his blood is worth the same as a life given willingly, then it is.

“A single drop of my blood is worth more than the life of a High Priestess.”

A moment to silence passed before the Cailleach nodded her head in acceptance.

«How brave, young dragon. So you do challenge me after all. Very well. But are you sure you’re willing to part with such a precious thing? You might save your Prince’s life tonight, but tomorrow when you return to Camelot he will demand that you burn at the stake for your powers”

Arthur’s breath hitched and he tried to lift a hand and reach Merlin. He ignored his hand as he raised his voice again.

“Then so be it”

Merlin kneeled down to get the dagger he always kept in his boot. Handy for all sorts of occasions; cutting herbs, whittling firewood, stopping assassins, and apparently, sacrificing his own blood.

Holding his hand up and over the alter he spoke “I willingly give my own blood to heal the veil that Morgana tore open. May the spirits find their rest and return to their rightful home”

The blade cut into his palm and he squeezed hard. A single drop of red fell down onto the alter already tainted with Morgauses’ blood.

A warm and soothing wind rushed through the Isle of the Blessed as the torn veil stitched itself back together. The silence that followed was deafening as the haunted screams of the spirits disappeared and the wind stopped howling.

A few moments passed before the Cailleach spoke. “It is done. The veil is closed, and the spirits will no longer torment the living. Your sacrifice was accepted by the gods and goddesses.”

Her eyes leered form under her hood

“But will it be accepted by your Prince? He is, after all, the son of the man who eradicated your entire family”

She disappeared into thin air before he could reply. Not that he knew what he would’ve said. Neither does he know what Arthur will say once he turns around.

But he knows what he will see.

The face of a man who’s been lied to for years. The betrayal and fear will be clear as day, and there is nothing he can do about it now. He made his choice, and now he must stand by it.

Merlin knows he ought to be executed or exiled simply for existing. All the knights surrounding him has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of their kingdom — and the law says he must die. They’re all expert killers, carrying swords and dressed in battlearmour. If they were not his friends, he would be petrified.

Merlin can only hope Arthur is kind enough to allow him a moment to say goodbye to Gaius and Gwen before he’s banished.

And perhaps Arthur had been right all those times he’s called him a coward. Because when he turns he does so without looking at Arthur or the knights, instead keeping his eyes on the stone floor at all times.

“We must hurry back. Camelot will be happy to see their Regent alive and well”

- - - - - - -

Read it on AO3 here

[cynthia39100]

@themerlinlibrary August Writing Challenge

Prompt 3: Royalty

Merlin & Arthur

Arthur x Gwen (They break up at the beginning.)

AO3 link

(A little Modern Royalty AU fic. I had little knowledge and imagination of royalty so bear with me... and I swear I'm not purposefully using Gwen and Arthur's broken relationship as an opening every time. )

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

Arthur should have seen this coming. 

He was in his bedroom in Windsor, holding a sobbing Gwen. She was saying how she loved him and how hard she’d tried and that she couldn’t do it anymore. 

“ I’m not royalty, Arthur. I thought I could learn to become one, but I will never be. You deserved a better wife who can support you through all odds. People… ” She trailed off, but Arthur knew what she didn’t say. People deserved a proper queen. They always did. Arthur was born to serve the people after all. 

Arthur comforted her with random words while feeling hollow and unreal. Everything was like a scene in the movie. He was just an observer. 

His whole life was like it, wasn’t it? There were always rules, traditions and scripts to follow. Every word, every action was properly designed and calculated by a group of “writers”. Because there is always someone watching. Because it’s his duty to be the perfect Prince people expected. 

It’s better now, of course. Rules became more flexible, and some old traditions no longer applied. He could date a peasant girl and even consider marrying her, as long as she adapted to the culture and duties of a royal family. 

He didn’t realise that was the most difficult part. 

Whenever Gwen stood by him, He felt that he finally had a little freedom and control in his life. Gwen must have felt the contrary. Arthur could only offer her wealth and title, neither was what Gwen needed in life. 

And so he let go of Gwen, told her it was alright, and sent for staff outside the room to escort her out. Arthur didn’t bother to chase out Merlin who silently sneaked in. He just lay on his bed, determined not to react to any of Merlin’s comforting words. Surprisingly, Merlin didn’t do his usual cheering or rambling to distract him, only standing beside the door like a security guard. 

Arthur supposed Merlin still knew when to leave him alone. Or he for once just didn’t know what to say. 

“ Don’t stand there like an idiot. Don’t you have more productive things to do? Writing my break-up announcement for one.” Arthur finally spoke up, couldn’t tolerate the silence. 

“ I already asked George to do it.” 

Another silent moment passed. Merlin was still standing beside the door, and Arthur was still lying on the bed. 

“ Am I wrong not to listen to Father and marry Elena?” 

“ It’s 21 century. Even the prince is allowed to choose his partner.” 

“ Gwen backed off. I’ve refused all the legitimate noblewomen in the country. What if I can’t find another one? What about the succession?” 

“ I’m sure Morgana will be happy to succeed. Actually, it should be Mordred. Have you met him recently? He has grown quite a lot.” 

“ And I’m just going to become this lonely old king?”

“ Well… on the bright side, you still got me.”  

Arthur finally surged up from the bed, looked at Merlin incredulously. 

“ Is that supposed to cheer me up?” 

“ Thought it might.” Merlin shrugged unapologetically while showing his iconic goofy smile. 

“ You really are an idiot,” Arthur said exasperatedly, but he turned to cover the smile he couldn’t quite suppress. 

Merlin seemed to sense the smile anyway. His voice became lighter and more cheerful. 

“ Since Your Highness feels better now, your father wants to meet you whenever you are ready. Do you want me to notify His Majesty?” 

Arthur sighed and got off the bed. He didn’t want to face his father, but the sooner it was done, the better. 

Merlin opened the door and was about to leave, but Arthur called him back. 

“ Aren’t you coming with me?” 

Merlin winced. “ The King is horrifying.” 

“ And you’re going to leave me alone? Right after you swore to serve me forever?”

“ I did not!” 

“ Yes, you did. Anyway, It’s your prince’s order.” 

Merlin mumbled some inaudible insults under his breath, and Arthur smiled again. It seemed that whether he could find a new love or not, he would always have his best friend hanging around. It made the future just a little less horrifying.

[trickytrick]

perhaps merlin petting arthur’s donkey ears…

stupid guy

[papysanzonew]

“I don’t understand why everyone thinks we’re together” “Me neither" Merlin says as he cuddles up to Arthur while they’re in bed watching a movie, because the sofa is too uncomfortable and if Arthur falls asleep it would be better to fall asleep in bed, right?

@sauraunderscore wrote a beautiful story out of it ❤️

My other Merlin art

[adageyer]

<<previous<< 04, last part

of the Prologue for my fan-comic "Destiny Rekindled"

[justaz]

fake dating!arthur panicking after being cornered by a princess/noblewomen and saying that merlin is his husband bc he was the first person he thought of bc he doesn’t want to court or marry this woman, he wants to marry merlin. so now the two of them have to keep up this charade while visiting/being visited. arthur dressing merlin in fine clothing and crowning him for feasts just as merlin has always crowned him but now they sit side by side at the table instead of him sitting and merlin standing a few feet away. arthur and merlin holding hands and linking arms and trying not to seem to eager to finally have an excuse to hang off the other. everyone getting tipsy enough on wine and relaxing from Queens and Kings to people that happen to be royalty and speaking freely, them asking merlin and arthur how they fell in love bc wtf the king of camelot married a fucking servant??? a peasant??? and merlin (lightweight, finally had access to alcohol all evening instead of standing sober for an hour) engages easily enough and tells the story of how they met and then when he first started to catch feelings which is entirely truthful but arthur is convinced he’s making it up for their ruse so he decides to match his energy and tell his side of things of when he first caught feelings which is again entirely truthful but merlin is convinced its for their ruse.

anyways arthur watches as merlin loosens up and lights up the room with his smile and eyes and his joyful energy and he’s captivating everyone in the room as they hang onto every letter his lips spell out and he starts to imagine it’s all genuine, that he truly is married to merlin and this was a feast to celebrate them and their union. merlin speaks of how their courtship, engagement, and marriage was rather sudden (his eyes glitter mischievously when he looks over at arthur as he says this and arthur can’t help but share a conspiratorial grin at his sly comment) and how he feels like a fish on land or like everyone else knows the dance, when to step, where to step, how to step yet he didn’t even know there’d be music playing, he talks of how he feels out of place and one of the royals is like “do you regret your marriage then?” and merlin is slow to answer but not because he’s unsure but just bc he’s thinking over a reality in which he does marry arthur and how he would feel in that position.

he finally answers and is like “i mean to say, everything is different and challenging, yes, but he’s been with me every step of the way. he’s been my rock and,” he turns his head to stare at his king, “he makes it all worth it.” and arthur looses his breath. he reminds himself its an act over and over again but his heart can’t help from pounding against his ribcage in an attempt to escape into merlin’s soft hands. merlin’s lips aren’t moving but he can hear his voice say something softly but his brain is too foggy to comprehend what he’s saying. arthur just about manages a shaky smile and nod and then merlin is reaching up toward his face and crowding in and then he’s kissing (kissing) arthur in front of everyone and arthur can’t pay any attention to that when merlin’s lips are pressed against his. just as he presses back, merlin pulls away and turns to smile at the other royals and the feast continues but arthur is barely aware of that bc he can’t pull his eyes away from merlin’s glowing profile as he continues his conversation with the rest of the royals

anyways merlins knowledge of royal duties is from watching arthur work through it and helping where he can so when they ask him what it was like jumping from a servant to a royal he has a great answer of it not being easier or harder but just that he faces a different set of challenges and that there are pros and cons to both lives and it just gives all these royals another perspective on how they rule and arthur is just sitting there giving him heart eyes bc merlin is literally acting like a royal and its just fueling his fantasy of being married to merlin and having him as his king. before their ruse, he considered the possibility often as a late night fantasy, but now that he’s seen a glimpse of what merlin would be like at his side, he can’t help but need it like he needs air