#the fact that arthur died in merlin's arms

[purple-mushroom-cap]

actually, yeah, let's talk about how frustrated I am about bbc merlin's execution of their plot. let's talk about how the concept of magic was heavily queercoded and everyone in turmoil about the magic didn't have satisfying endings or even a happy one. let's talk about how incredibly queer coded morgana was. let's talk about how bbc's solution to avoiding the queerbaiting "bury your gays" trope was subverted by burying every character. let's talk about merlin losing every single fucking person he loved and then killing off arthur right after merlin "comes out to him."

[pigfacedbitch]

HIIII I'm a big fan of your work and I really love it your writing is amazing , this may be a weird request and if your uncomfortable you don't have to do it , it's fine I completely understand, so it's like merlin and Arthur and the reader and they are all soulmates and it's there first time meeting each other . Thank you in advance

Modern! Reader Gets Transported to Albion

idea : modern world! reader gets transported to Albion and meets Arthur and Merlin. unbeknownst to you and the prince of Camelot, the three of you are soulmates.

type : imagines

word count : 0.7k

pairing/s involved : Arthur x Reader, Merlin x Reader

warning/s : almost drowning, panicking

here is my masterlist!

Note : MY FIRST REQUEST! Whoever you are, thank you for reading my works and I might've changed a little bit in your request. Also, I apologize that it took so long, school has been keeping me busy. I hope you like it! 😊

You've always been a fan of BBC Merlin so when you had the chance to take a trip to Europe, you did.

You went to all the locations where they filmed the series like Château de Pierrefonds and Chislehurst Caves. The last destination is where the Lake of Avalon is; Forest of Dean.

Luckily you are alone, giving you the chance to fully enjoy the beautiful sceneries and serene atmosphere.

It made you feel a deeper sense of nostalgia and melancholy— how the precious characters you loved dearly died and were 'buried' there.

With one last selfie, you were about to walk back to you car when you hear it. A faint voice, filled with sorrow and longing.

"(Y/N)... Save us."

It's coming from the lake.

Something glimmers on it's shore, a sapphire drop necklace with golden chain. When you attempt to pick it up, the world begins to spin.

Suddenly, you were underwater.

Panic builds in your chest not because you can't swim, but an unseen force seems to harshly pull you down no matter how hard you try to stay afloat.

"Help me! Please, someone—"

Air runs out from your lungs when a pair of bulky arms grabs your body and begins to swim you to safety.

"Don't worry, I got you."

I heard that voice before.

The stranger easily carries you to ground, draping a large cloak on your shivering body. Rubbing your eyes for better sight, you look up...

Bradley James?

"Are you alright?"

No. You're certain that Bradley doesn't look that young anymore, keeping up with his latest activities online.

"I told you to be careful, Arthur!"

Turning your head, you see Colin Morgan run towards the two of you with a worried expression on his face.

He looks younger too.

"Ah, Merlin. Fetch the horses, she might need medical attention. May I ask for you name, my lady?"

Arthur? Merlin? Wait... Oh my God.

Realization hits you hard when both men stare at you expectantly, waiting for your answer.

The way they speak, their clothes, their appearances... it's exactly the same in the show you binge-watch every Christmas season.

Am I in the show? That's not possible...right?

"W-Where are we?"

"Camelot."

Shit.

You expect someone to go 'You just got punked!'; that would've been better than two men (who you have a huge crush on) staring at you, confused.

You waited for a moment but nothing happens.

This is real. I'm actually in Albion.

Fear and anxiety creeps into your system, as many questions form in your head. Did I die? What's going on? What season is this? How can I ever get back?

Due to the overwhelming emotions, your breath shortens and keeled over.

Bradley, or Arthur (You have no idea anymore), quickly catches you and gently carries you to his horse.

"We must make haste!" was the last thing you heard before you blacked out.

Merlin, on the hand, knew this would happen. In fact, he dreams of you.

He sees you in vague images, like old memories— happily kissing his cheek, witnessing him use magic, encouraging him to do another trick, etc.

He already etched in his mind your pretty face, your melodious voice, your playful grin— everything about you.

Then Arthur shares the same experience, dreaming about a woman who's description mirrors yours.

Kilgharrah told him that the woman of their dreams will arrive soon from faraway land and will play significant role in the prophecy.

However, the dragon didn't specify how. He only said—

"(Y/N) is your soulmate, Emrys. She sees you and Arthur in a light no one else ever will."

Soulmates are uncommon, even for druids. Only a few were blessed, to have something so wholesome and pure.

So when he heard your cry for help, he is ecstatic. You have finally arrived. His soulmate... and Arthur's.

He wryly smiles at this. Funny how he shares, not only his destiny with the prat, but also you.

The trip to the castle was faster than they anticipated. Arthur told him to call Gaius and meet them in his bedroom.

It caught the attention of everyone. The prince carrying an unconscious woman in his private chambers will surely stir gossip.

But Arthur didn't care, and Merlin didn't know if he should be proud or worried.

The court physician said you are healthy, they only have to wait for you to wake up. He left to attend other matters; leaving the three of you alone.

"This is her." The prince laughs in disbelief, incognizant of what Merlin knows. "The girl in my dreams, I can't believe it!"

Merlin tries to hide his smirk, Arthur can be so adorable when he's clueless.

"Nor can I, sire."

[emrys-merlin]

Could Merlin have walked away from his destiny at any time? Remember, though, what the Dragon said: Merlin cannot escape his destiny. Nobody can. And we see how true this is in 1x10, where Merlin considers staying in his childhood village with his best friend Will, except that Will conveniently dies taking an arrow for Arthur, shutting that door almost as quickly as it had opened. Then in 2x09, when Merlin plans to run away with Freya, she too conveniently dies in his arms before he can stray too far from Camelot. In fact, anyone who uses magic for good or accepts Merlin despite his magic dies (Balinor, Lancelot), or turns evil (Morgana). Merlin is kept isolated, anyone who could help him change the kingdom for the better removed from his orbit by force.

[kateis-cakeis]

You know, something something Arthur desperately wanted to see the good in magic at any opportunity he was given.

When Gwen was first accused, when he first met Morgause, when he wanted to save Uther using magic, when he saved the woman from being burnt in that small village, when he was given a choice by the Disir, when he was determined to save Gwen from Morgana's dark magic...

(Honourable mentions include when he saved Mordred and argued with Uther about the Druids being peaceful (they are magic adjacent after all) - and well, given the second honourable mention being his remorse for the raid on the Druid camp when he was young, it's understandable that it comes from some sort of trauma. And of course, the result of that remorse was the promise that he would do everything to prevent it ever happening again, and that he would treat the Druids with respect. Hell, even with Kara he was respectful, even though she committed actual literal treason in the form of an attempted assassination of Camelot's king)

Of course, at every opportunity, Arthur's view that there is good in magic, that not all sorcerers are evil, that perhaps his father was wrong, or that his father had lied, ends up being proven wrong, at least in his eyes.

Time and time again Arthur is shown to consider magic as a more neutral force, like almost as if he's desperate for it to be true. It isn't even necessarily his fault that the opinions about magic and sorcerers that Uther taught him becomes reinforced once again.

The fact that he can even think critically about magic at all is a miracle alone. Like this man who has only ever known sorcerers to use magic for evil purposes, to destroy Camelot, attempt to assassinate him, attempt to assassinate his father, to harm those he cares about - and yet he still he still falls back on, what if magic can be good, what if we're wrong, what if, what if, what if--

And it's only when magic itself reveals himself to Arthur that he can finally see that yes, magic can be good.

Because if Merlin is good, if Merlin is the same person even with magic, then magic is neutral, and sorcerers aren't inherently evil.

Arthur was always going to accept magic, that's the thing, that's hardcoded into his character, he just needed the right push, and that push was always going to be Merlin.

Because as Arthur dies in Merlin's arms, blanketed by magic itself, he accepts that even with all of Merlin's magic, his life cannot be saved, magic cannot save him.

But he accepts it, and accepts Merlin, and he dies having brought about all that Merlin ever dreamt of, truly dreamt of, that Arthur would see him for him, and accept him and his magic. And more than that, what Arthur truly ends up doing is embracing it.

Arthur for whatever reason, perhaps because he was born of magic, perhaps because his soulmate is magic itself, perhaps because he has a heart of gold, wanted to see the good in magic at any given opportunity that presented itself, even though with all that Uther taught him, he never should have seen it that way.

It's just, it's so fascinating, and it's so heartbreaking that when he finally knew, he died. But he'll return, and I'm sure then he can build something better with Merlin, really bring magic back to a time that needs it :)

[xjulixred45x]

Ahhh if maybe I can request a continuation from the Guinevere!Reader request? Like after the events of 7DS when Arthur gained Chaos he slowly starts to change to how he is in 4KOA. She gets worried and Arthur assures her that he's still the same but seeing as the change becomes worse she soon after escapes and goes into hiding in hopes of finding a way to save him until after the incident in Liones (4KOA) and later is brought back to Camelot. (We'll assume Guinevere!Reader has the same power as...the loli but did a better job in hiding her powers.)

OoohhhOHHhoo this is very interesting! Specially with the trailer of the Anime recently🥺 Thank you for the Request ❤️❤️

Arthur Pedragon King of Chaos x Guinevere!Reader: 4 knights of apocalypse.

Genre: Headcanons

Reader: female

Warnings: SPOILERS FROM THE MANGA OF NANATSU NO TAIZAI AND 4 KNIGHTS OF THE APOCALYPSE!! Arthur with chaos, Angst- some comfort, some soft yandere?? rather Arthur in 4kota being his own warning, reader has the power of a kaleidoscope (can see the future), mentions of death, somewhat long work, I think that's all.

FIRST PART FOR CONTEXT

You didn't like to remember what happened during the holy war. Neither of the you two wanted.

All the humans who died, the friends lost, how Arthur had died, even if it was temporary, it was something that would remain forever in your mind and heart.

only for the total destruction of Camelot to occur shortly after.

The war was won, yes, but at what cost...

It took a toll on both of them.

A part of you felt guilty for not having been able to prevent this future scenario with your power, but Arthur was always quick to tell you you didn't have to feel that way, after all going against destiny was much more dangerous and unpredictable.

Arthur, even with all the loss he had suffered in that time, was happy that you were safe and by his side, he wouldn't change that.

Even if the words of support felt good, you could see right through him, and how the situation had definitely damaged him severely.

not only for his lost arm, but for his damaged spirit.

and it was something else that changed him...

The chaos.

Of course, at the time you did not accept that Merlin used Arthur as a vessel for that thing, but it was not in your power to decide, now, with things as they were, you could see more clearly how Chaos affected Arthur.

Even if it was in his general aura, it made him more threatening, colder...menacing.

He did not direct this attitude towards you! With you, in general terms, he was still the same Arthur that you fell in love with, that you married... but he started to change little by little.

Arthur became considerably more clingy after all the trauma he had gone through in the holy war, at first you even considered it normal, if it weren't for the fact that later it could have been seen as a warning sign.

Arthur is more clingy with chaos, he slowly clings to what he has left in the war, in this case, YOU.

For this reason, he begins to show certain tendencies or amplify those he already had, for example, his protection over you.

I have the personal hc that at first Arthur's outbursts due to the chaos only came to light (initially) in moments of high tension(like in the anime), so the first stage of "infection" so to speak passed quite unnoticed.

However, it does not mean that it did not have worrying moments.

Related to the above, Arthur would literally have quite serious fits of rage if you went on, for example, a small reconnaissance mission with Knights and ended up injured.

and I'm not talking about just "getting angry" I mean he might even deploy his sword with them (you'll have to do something if you want the Knights to come out alive, another warning sign...).

At this point, Arthur begins to show more of the side we see in 4kota, although quite Lowkey.

but it doesn't mean he doesn't say some pretty dark things.

For example, his dislike of other races is becoming more and more evident. especially demons.

Even if you want to understand what's happening to him, you can't, not when you see it and you KNOW that this will end very badly...

I don't think Arthur is confrontational, but you definitely don't sit back and watch him talk bad about the races he fought SIDE BY SIDE in the war. Didn't that matter to him anymore? Now they were all the same to him. the?only evil beings who want to harm humanity?

Arthur has the ability to not shout or take fights to extreme levels, but the worst thing is that he also does not deny anything or leave the argument halfway. which only confirms that his ideas are becoming increasingly solid and dangerous.

Unfortunately you cannot see a future where you change his ideas permanently. at least not now. while Arthur becomes more radical day by day.

but at least you know VERY well what this change is due to: Chaos.

It's the first step in undoing the damage, but it's difficult to do it on your own while Chaos has more and more control over Arthur.

He continues to be a good and loving husband to you... I listen to his opinions and ideas... you don't know what to do.

By the time he has the whole plan to use Britannia to rebuild Camelot at the cost of the lives of the other races and to destroy EVERYTHING in favor of an "eternal kingdom"... that's when you start planning.

you need to find a way to get Chaos out of Arthur.

But first you should get away from him, no matter how discouraging it may be. You love your husband, but for that reason you must leave him to SAVE HIM.

Using your Kaleidoscope, you were able to find the perfect way out of "Camelot" before anyone noticed.

and as soon as you were out of that bubble, you began your journey towards Britannia.

To say that Arthur was distraught at first would be an understatement.

Let's say that at first Arthur thinks you were kidnapped, it's that serious.

He has his knights rushing out to go look for you (fearing for their lives when they return without you or clues to your whereabouts) and Arthur is VERY tempted to go on his own to look for you in every corner of the continent.

but he cannot leave the kingdom for too long. Plus he doesn't want to scare you (when he realizes that you left of your own free will).

and Chaos in a way operates a little on their thoughts so that the following happens.

In the time that follows, you continue traveling to various parts of the continent in search of a cure for Arthur.

Have you tried to go with fairies, with giants, alchemists, magicians, etc.

but you can't find anything useful.

apart from the fact that you are constantly avoiding Arthur's Knights, whether they are specially sent to look for you or they are simply there for "recruitment".

You were able to easily keep a low profile, hiding your Kaleidoscope power from people knowing that that would be what could (probably) give you away.

Having seen everything the small towns had to offer, and unable to return to Carmelide safely by Arthur's knights, you made a hasty decision.

You went to see the deadly sins to ask them for help. but first of all, to King Meliodas.

without knowing that that was precisely what Arthur wanted.

Arthur knew you well enough to know that even if you knew you shouldn't avoid the future, he had to be cautious about when he wanted to bring you back.

From there, he wouldn't care much about the matter of destiny, but definitely with the prophecy of the Knights of the Apocalypse around, he saw the perfect moment to start his plan.

NOW, during this time, Arthur became the version we know of 4kota, deceptively friendly but very lethal, more sadistic, but more relaxed so to speak.

He sees this situation as even fun now (being completely infected by chaos), and he honestly can't wait to have you back and see what trick you had up your sleeve.

The Knights know it, "Merlin" knows it, all of "Camelot" knows it, he misses you. and he is anxious for you to return to him.

He was definitely anxious because you did a good job hiding for so long, he lost track of you many times (it's not like his Knights had it easy), but at least now that he's sure where you're going, he can send someone who KNOWS finish the job at once.

After a while, you arrived in Liones, determined to reach Meliodas, when you saw the vision...

you being taken to Camelot by a knight named IronSide.

damn.

change of plans.

There wouldn't be time to find what you originally came looking for, but maybe you could warn them about Arthur, change things, for the better.

but it would be difficult to keep a low profile, especially knowing that Arthur's Knight would be lurking. It took you a while to get close.

Meliodas was happy to see you after so long! but he definitely got serious when you said your reason for coming was for Arthur. that he was planning something against Liones, that he had to protect the children from the prophecy (especially Percibal).

and not kill Arthur before you could find a cure for him...

It was at that moment that Megagaland attacked.

oh geez, you have to hide again. you thought and went to your current hiding place.

You weren't that surprised to see that someone was already there...

Ironside...

Arthur could feel when you and Ironside entered Camelot, he could only think 'finally'.

finally someone does their job well, finally everything is back to normal-

You are finally back with him.

The feeling he had before of anticipation becomes more palpable, he is anxiously waiting for you to get to where he is, in the throne room.

and he feels calm, knowing that now he not only has the tactical advantage in this little war, but that he has his dear companion with him. What more could he ask for?

He's anticipating what he's going to say to you... after so much time.

Surprisingly you are also anticipating. You don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

You have closely followed the atrocious acts that Arthur has done in the past and continues to do. He is even willing to kill children in order to follow this "everlasting kingdom" for the love of God...

But you know he won't hurt you. He didn't do it before, he won't do it now. no matter how much it changes.

and even if it is difficult to admit. you miss him. He is your husband after all.

but you also miss how everything was before Chaos intervened.....how you would like to help him-

No, you're going to save him...somehow.

even if now you'll probably have to help him with your kaleidoscope...

is what you think as you go with Ironside to what appears to be the lair of the Knights of Chaos.

You (without Ironside, apparently) are transported to the throne room, and see, for the first time in years, Arthur.

He's barely changed physically, advantages of chaos, you suppose, he looks so deceptively innocent...

and meanwhile Arthur can only be grateful that you are finally here...

Do you have any idea how much you worried him when you left? with nothing to say, just leave... but you came back, he can't be mad at you, not when he's been waiting so long to have you this close again...

Far from being angry or minimally irritated with this "act of rebellion," he seems rather amused, even touched, as if what you had done was adorable...he seems happy.

and in some ways, it's contagious. You don't let your guard down, but you can allow yourself this little moment with your husband...

But when he stands up from his throne, he turns towards you and with an expression that reminds you of when everything was fine, he tells you:

-"welcome home, my queen"-

Shares, reblogs and comments are very welcome!

@cattivedonne i hope You like it✨thank You very much for the Request ❤️

Now i'm going to sleep bc i have doctor tomorrow morning😭

[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

What Kind of King is in my Blood?

Context: this piece was inspired by the song "In My Blood." sung by Joel Smallbone from Journey to Bethlehem (the movie). And contains the lyrics of the song.

Warning: content contains blood (mild) & implied physical abuse... the more graphic scenes to be underneath the keep reading section of the post... if you are uncomfortable with such things.

I've mentioned this before in a previous post & please check out the original video (have a listen: it's incredible). Or better yet, put it on while reading the comic. :D

I do suggest you read: Celestine is Merlin before this;

Young Arthur... was not a good person in the sightless and was very close to becoming a mini-Sir Uther. And I also would like to stress how evil Sir Uther is...(Uther is not Arthur's father, but the song just fits them so...)

Behind the arrogance and pride, his actions were a tie of wanting and seeking Uther's approval...

Other than that, please enjoy the content.

Background info: this takes place around the time Arthur starts to take a liking to Merlyn and even trust them (and before he found out Merlyn was Lady Celestine). Soon their game of cat & mouse blossomed into a friendship...

Celestine never put pressure on Arthur to change: in fact, she tried to save Nonsurat & Morgan, too... she'd put them in scenarios where she'd see them grow empathy. (Putting someone in another's shoes.)

She'd show them the damage the war was doing to the public... and the innocent.

Allowing them all the chance to do good but in the end...The only one who was receptive to it was Arthur. Which surprised her... she believed Arthur would be the last person who would be captivated by the lesson. (Since he was Uther's most loyal soldier... his right-hand man...)

When it was clear that the lessons were only effective for Arthur (and the only one who was willing to change), she started to tailor them for Arthur. Genuinely started by doing vigilante work with Merlyn and learning more about this "outside world he never knew about."

(Unbeknownst to these goobers these were pretty much the equivalent of dates.)

However, Arthur couldn't help but feel guilty that he was betraying his master (Uther). That all changed, however, after a certain mission...

Arthur & Company were tasked to clear a demon infestation of a cave. Which held serval rare artifacts that were stolen. Some of Nightmare's monsters had made it into a stronghold (a secret base), and Arthur was in charge of clearing it. Morgan tried to trap Arthur in the deeper, darkest part of the cave where the majority of the monsters were dwelling.

Thankfully, Celestine secretly tagged along with him!

It took them a week... to escape the cave ... everyone had started to assume that Arthur had died during the mission. He was about to report his return as soon as he arrived at the camp base until... he overheard a very upsetting conversation.

Sir Kay (Kit Cosmo): Sir Uther! Sir Arthur is still missing, we can't leave just yet...

Sir Uther: He's been missing for a week... we only have three days left on this planet, and we need to finish recovering the reset of the artifacts... our time & manpower is limited.

Kit Cosmo: It that's the case... I'd be more than willing to take a small team to recover him... heck, I'll even go there by myself if I have to...

Sir Uther: DID YOU NOT HEAR WHAT I SAID! I am not wasting manpower... are you questioning my judgment?

Kit Cosmo: NO SIR!* Nevourly but still firm* I just thought you'd press the issue more... he's our captain and, more importantly, your right-hand man-

Sir Uther: WHY do you think you have two other apprentices... he's replaceable...If he died out there then he's a failure that deserves to be left... DON'T NOT BOTHER LOOKING FOR HIM!

You're lucky I have more pressing issues to attend to or that right arm or yours would've been charred... This conversation is over! *leans into Kit menacingly* YOU'RE DISMISSED! *Kit lets out a big gulp and backs away out of the tent*

Little did they know Arthur & Celestine (Merlyn) were listening in on the conversation. With Celestine fuming... and with Arthur shaking...

Celestine (currently disguised as Merlyn): WHY THAT FAT HEADED TYRANT! Don't listen to him, you're- Arthur? *sees Arthurs gone* Arthur...

Arthur runs off to contemplate... his mind reeling from what he had just heard. He always knew that Uther saw him as nothing more than a tool. The title of the right hand was just merely a cover-up... a lie made by Sir Uther (that he was something to him). He always knew this, but he couldn't understand why this still hurt him so much.

Arthur, at his core... still just wanted to be praised and desperately wanted at least a shred of affection from Uther. Hearing this broke him instantly... and forced him to look inside himself. He may have always known it... but a part of him always wanted to believe in the lie... So he put this facade of pride and arrogance to ignore it.

Only realizing how much Uther took advantage of his desire for affection from him... allowing him (Uther) to mold him into what he wanted. The brilliant golden amor (that Uther gave him), was all part of the illusion... he was no hero... he was just a monster... just like his master... just like Uther...

This leads us to this scene...

-The key things I wanted to mention were those marks on Arthur's shoulders are burn marks...

-Those bubbles at the end represent Celestine's influence

-I featured a Kirby-sized baby Arthur with a little training armor... it's pretty much his inner child... Sweet little bean didn't deserve this

-I also updated Uther's shoes :3

At this point, Celestine already cares for Arthur so much, and he's already redeemed himself (in her eyes). But Arthur can't help but hate himself for his past actions now seeing the full picture...

He destroyed himself for a man... who would never care for him... Arthur couldn't help but feel ashamed. He felt so disgusted with himself... forgetting all the progress he'd made... Believing himself to be a worthless puppet...

And it broke her heart to see Arthur like this... that's why she reminds him of what she sees him as. And this is where Arthur finally breaks down his final wall and truly opens himself up. Celestine always saw Arthur as a more than worthy king and always saw the best in him... and that's why Arthur always saw her (in the future) as his queen...

"Did I put too much characterization to a background character we only saw for less than 5 minutes in the anime?" YES, I DID!

"Was it worth it?" YES IT WAS!

(In the KBASW) Sir Arthur is the one who approves and legitimizes the "Star Allies" because if someone like him could be changed for the better... why can't this rag-tag group. Sir Arthur (in a sense) is the first "redeemed villain"...

It just took one person to see the good in him... I really can't wait to explore their relationship (Celarthur) more... I have something special planned for them in February. And I do want to explore Kit Cosmo & Arthur's friendship: it's really fun~

(The Star Allies are going to be the equivalent of the Knights of the Round Table in KBASW, but I'll explore that later...)

Hope you all stick around to see how the story unfolds...

[merlincersei]

Merlin BBC UK TV Show - Opinion Piece Part 09 - The Little Mermaid v/s Merlin

Thank you all for to the wonderful response I received on my post here :

The same friend and I ended up discussing the show in even greater detail.

Whilst my friend was more receptive to the "progressive sub-text" within the show his major issue was what he called a fairy tale treatment of a gritty story.

I retorted that fairy tales have universal appeal and often contain in them morals and lessons which lend to a more complex narrative upon further inspection.

As our talks went on, I could not help but find narrative overlaps between the 2008 Merlin TV Series and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid fairy tale published during 1830's.

So I felt that it could become a Tumblr post.

PLEASE DONT CONFUSE THIS WITH THE DISNEY ANIMATED AND LIVE ACTION FILMS !!!!

Here is my attempt to outline the similarities between our protagonists and the themes.

Raised by single parents

Merlin was raised by Hunith whereas the Mermaid was raised by

the Sea King.

They both feel alienated

The Mermaid feels alone while living in the ocean forever trying to

connect with the world around her.

Merlin also feels like he didn’t belong in the village he lived in.

They both leave their childhood homes

Merlin leaves Ealdor and goes to Camelot whereas the Mermaid

leaves the underwater sea and goes to the Prince's kingdom

They end up saving the life of their soul-mate upon their initial interaction

Merlin saves Arthur's life in Season 1 Episode 1 whereas the

Mermaid saves the Prince from drowning when his ship catches

fire.

They have longer life span than their soul-mate

Merlin is an immortal whereas Arthur's death has been foretold.

The Mermaid is told by her grandmother that she could live for

300 years whereas humans live for a shorter time.

Their soul-mate is unaware of their true identity

Arthur is unaware of Merlin's magic till the very last episode

similarly the Prince is unaware of the Mermaid's identity.

They give up their identity for their soul-mate

Merlin despite being a powerful sorcerer becomes Arthur's servant

whereas the Mermaid gives up being a princess and becomes

human.

They prioritize their soul-mate ahead of themselves

Merlin convinces Arthur not to legalize magic as he thinks this

will save Arthur's life, even though his own circumstances would

change for the better.

The Mermaid does not kill the prince even though it would save her

own life in the end.

The story ends in death.

Arthur dies in Merlin's arms.

The Mermaid dies heartbroken with her body turning to foam.

Queer themes

I have already outlined magic being a methaphor in my post here:

The Little Mermaid's queer themes can be read in the article here:

Silence as a theme of repression

The Mermaid is literally silenced by the Sea Witch in order to fit into heterosexual human society.

Merlin chooses to remain silent despite seeing the injustice and persecution of queer magical creatures around him. If Merlin had expressed himself he would be arrested or even put to death. 

Sea Witch and Morgana

The Sea Witch is an antagonist in the The Little Mermaid and Morgana is the chief antagonist in the Merlin series.

In popular mythology there was a Sea Witch named Morgana who was a main contributor in luring sailors to their deaths.

I thought this was a remarkable coincidence when researching this topic

[achillesuwu]

Back on my AU where Arthur died before Merlin could tell him he has magic and kinda merlin not being a sad wet cat for 1500 years (DO YOU ALL UNDERSTAND HOW FUCKING LONG THAT IS) agenda

Merlin trying his best to hide the fact that he is extremely well know. In a "there a documentary on you" and"multiple governments call you regularly, that's literally your job, about magical problem that only you can resolve which mean that you have to go on TV sometime" kind of way (Merlin : bless the lazy-ass person that nicknamed me The Immortal/Emrys .) While also hiding the fact that "heeeyyy you know, the things we wordlessly accepted to not talk about, the thing called 'The day I died' which hem didn't happen and 'Where the fuck I was when you died' we should hem, maybe talk about them"

It all go well until, one day, Merlin and Arthur are arguing in a supermarket (like seriously arguing, the kind of argument that happen when one get throw 1500 years in the future) and when and Arthur says something like "Watch your tongue/Remember who you're talking to/...!" and there is a collective *gasp*

It could go two way :

One. Arthur has an enormous "????" sign above his head, Merlin freeze and flee (if he falls to flee the scene with a confuse but mainly angry arthur, arthur would gaps his arm and force him to stay in place which would bring us to two.)

Two. Someone intervene because : ?!?! Bro/boy !? Shut the fuck up?! Do YOU know who you are talking to?!?! Apologise right now!

Merlin : no you shut up by the triple godnes please—

*Arthur and the person now arguing with other people joining in the argument*

At some point in end up being a "How dare you insult my friend like that?! He does NOT have magic" "What kind of weed did you smoke?! He is LITTERALY magic"

(the Knights and Gwen are in the supermarket too but none of them were with merthur when it happens except Leon who just saw the beginning of Arthut vs Random people fight and promptly walked back to his wife/Queen to report what he saw. The queen in question decided that she is too old for this shit, so is Merlin and it's time they get their shit together)

[slantedknitting]

Had a very productive 4-day long weekend! Got about halfway through my @ficreadingchallenge bingo card. 13 fics below, mostly Merlin & Merthur fics.

new (to me) pairing: people we’d be together by lyryk BBC Merlin | featuring Freya/Gwaine | Mature Summary: names of poisons, names of handguns, names of places we’ve been together, names of people we’d be together

lyric title: Feel It In My Fists by thesongistheriver BBC Merlin | Merlin/Arthur | Explicit Summary: Merlin felt strong arms lift him. He wanted to protest, to stay and hear what else Gaius might say, but the knights were already carrying him off the training field, and he sank into oblivion. ~*~ An assassination attempt on Arthur leaves Merlin seriously injured. In fact, he shouldn't survive ... but he does. And that brings a lot of other questions to the fore.

BFFs: The Best Thing by lancelitttle BBC Merlin | featuring Merlin & Gwen | General Audiences Summary: The castle servants have a secret that they won't share with Merlin.

fix-it fic: And Tomorrow by pumpkabitch BBC Merlin | Merlin/Arthur | Teen + Summary: After he dies, Arthur wakes up ten years in the past

future AU: Telekinesis by cassan_astaroth BBC Merlin | Merlin & Arthur | General Audiences Summary: Arthur wasn’t sure what he had expected when he finally met Merlin again, but watching him destroy a whole solar system of planets in a bout of anger certainly wasn’t it. -- In which Arthur gets reincarnated only a few moments before Earth is swallowed by the sun, and has to adjust to a new life in space. He is sure everyone he knew is gone, but are they really?

rarepair: In the Cave by paintedpigeon BBC Merlin | Merlin/Leon | General Audiences Summary: Merlin and Leon cuddle for warmth in a cave full of Uther's knights, and Leon has something he wants to share.

inspired by another fanwork: I will show you how to dance by (currently anon) BBC Merlin | Merlin/Lance | Teen + Summary: For a few weeks now, Merlin had been attracted to a human home. At first, he had strayed in this direction accidentally, following the wind and sounds, only coming close to the property. Then, he had realised to whom this house had once belonged to.

oldest fic in the fandom: Compass by missdeviant Raven Cycle | Gansey/Blue, Adam/Ronan | Mature Summary: It was one thing to see the women of 300 Fox Way bare-breasted in a pagan rite. It was something else entirely to do the same with boys.

author’s oldest fic: Secret Release by fifty_fifty BBC Merlin | solo Merlin | Mature Summary: He didn’t often do this, in truth he tried to do it as little as possible. But sometimes, sometimes… he just had to. He was only human after all. A sheepish smile crossed his lips as he remembered with embarrassment the first and only time he’d attempted it at home in Ealdor. His mother was out at a neighbour’s for the evening. He shook his head, no never inside again. The broken crockery, the carpet of grass, the newly grown tree in the house... Only outside from now on, as far as away as possible from others and only when he was desperate and he had to admit after a day like today, he was desperate.

time travel: Finding the Right Time by Diamond_Raven BBC Merlin | Merlin/Arthur | Mature Summary: Following a hostile takeover of the time travel agency, Agent Arthur Pendragon is left stranded with Agent Merlin Emrys in the distant past. While waiting to be rescued, he and Merlin have to figure out how to live as flatmates in the 20th century and cope with the thought that they’ll never get home again, all while figuring out what the word home really means.

newest fic in the tag of your choice: Day 2 – Heat by EmptyBucketOfFucks BBC Merlin | Merlin/Arthur | Mature (tag of my choice was “wet dream”) Summary: Summer is approaching, and the heat gets to everyone.

small fandom (<1k fics): Lazy Mornings by Geekygirl24 Shades of Magic | Rhy/Alucard | Teen + Summary: Rhy sighed fondly, shaking off the lethargy, reaching over to brush a thumb across his lover’s cheek, easing him awake.

unhappy/bittersweet ending: Fly away, my Merlin by raimosorsa BBC Merlin | Merlin/Arthur | Not Rated Summary: "Fly away, but remember to always come back home."

:)

[tansyuduri]

teaser tidbit tuesday/wip wednesday/fuck it friday

@wolfiery tagged me! Thank you so much! I'm not sure what bit to show you guys but I found something! enjoy this VERY rough tidbit from my VERY rough WIP Mostly I've just shown banter because I adore it I'm not 100% sure about the banter in this scene! But hey at least there is fluff!

Merlin looked up. “Arthur…” 

He could see Arthur brows knit “Whats wrong?” His king asked

“I decided to look to see if other museum robberies had taken place” The worlds spilled out of Merlin’s mouth

“I found a few other unexplained ones. All objects that might be magical. I gathered as many as I could and hid them back when magic had not died out but was starting to… But it would seem I didn’t get everything. Of course I didn’t get everything… and while we were focusing on monsters and missing people I completely missed the fact that artifacts had been stolen from museums

Merlin stood up and started to pace. “I should have seen this coming. I should have expected it!” From the corner of his eye he saw Euthymos fly out the window.

Arthur crossed to Merlin quickly and wrapped his arms around him from behind stopping his pacing. His lips met the back of Merlins neck

Merlin could feel gooseprickles spreading from where Arthur’s lips had made contact

“Stop that you prat” he scolded “I’m trying to feel bad. Call me an idiot or something.”

“Why?” Came a voice from near his ear. 

“Because I’m asking you to?” Merlin replied “This is your one chance without me arguing.”

There was a slight pause then “Merlin you idiot how dare you not see something. How dare you make a mistake. Oh wait I distinctly remember people in fact do make mistakes and you figured yours out. How dare you be a person Merlin.

“Thats not what I meant!”

“I’m the king Merlin I don’t have to do what you meant”

Merlin relaxed in Arthur's hold. “You couldn’t oblige me this once?”

He felt the lips press to the back of his neck again, at this rate his knees were going to give out.

“ Hmmm let’s see…. Oh I’ve decided.” Arthurs tone was pure sarcasm “No.” Arthur told him.

Merlin moved a hand to troke one of the arms wrapped around his chest. Arthers lips moved from the back of his neck down a shoulder

“You’re going to make my knees give out dollophead”

“Good” There was a pleased and sensual undernote to Arthurs voice.

“You had better catch me” he told Arthur, feeling his entire body melt against his kings.

Arthur did not reply, instead kissing the back of his neck until Merlin’s knees did in fact give out. 

Arthur spun Merlin to face him, holding him upright with the smuggest self satisfied grin on his face.

Merlin took one look at Arthur’s face - It was so unfair that someone could be so absolutely beautiful while making that face. It was a crime really.

He threw his arms around Arthur's neck and pressed his mouth to his kings in a rush of passion.

A their forms intertwined. Merlin could feel his hands scrabbling at Arthurs back. Moving in a frenzy trying to bring arthur even closer. To hold more of arthur. To taste more of him. Merge with him. It was never enough… never enough. 

He was barley aware of arthur walking towards the bed. But very away of his hands rushing to remove Arthur's shirt as Arthur did his own because it meant he would soon have more of Arthur's skin to press against his

Shirts removed, they fell onto the bed and Arthur grabbed merlin’s hands pressing them to the smooth sheets, moving on top of him in a haze of kisses. Merlin lifted his head slightly to kiss Arthur’s neck, then his chest, and then Arthur took his mouth. Capturing it with his own as they kissed frantically  Tongues wrestling and dancing together. Merlin writhed up against Arthur one hand above his head  fingers interlaced with his kings as their bodies pressed even closer together.

Tagging: @kairennart @sexy-sorcerer-sapphic @gramnel @247merthur @shana-rosee No pressure just if you wanna

[damagedward]

𝕬 𝕱𝖆𝖒𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖆𝖗 𝕿𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊 𝕺𝖋 𝕻𝖔𝖎𝖘𝖔𝖓

***⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️ ***

tw:poison , tw:attempted murder , tw:near death , tw:near death experience , tw: betrayal

Her hand goes to her throat , she can’t seem to get any air down , she’s gasping for oxygen , her lungs beg for it expanding and collapsing but seeming to not collect anything . Her vision is going blurry , she can’t see through the tears that well up , they come of their own accord , from the choking , the coughing fit that had preceded it and then of course there had been emotion as well . But most important , she knows , because there’s only one other person in the room besides her .

Merlin .

He had done this , he had poisoned her , and apparently with something deadly , as this was death , of that she was certain , there was no way she could survive this , that was how it felt , and to top it all off he sat here trying to hold her , to offer some comfort to her as death overtook .

As her eyelids could remain open no longer , as she couldn’t gasp for anything else , as she felt consumed by darkness , she didn’t see any light , there was no flash of her life , her last thought was how it had all been a lie .

What she had never expected was a sudden jolt that felt like electricity in the flesh coursing through her and causing everything within her to come alive once more .

Emerald orbs rapidly shoot open and around , blinking trying to adjust to the sudden light , seeing again , figuring out how , where .

The figure she lands on is so familiar yet different . How long had she been gone for ? No — she had died . She ..

“Merlin ?”

And then it floods back and she tries to get up and out of the bed she’s on and nearly falls in the process and he’s there to catch her and help her back down .

“I’m not Merlin . He’s my brother .” He leaves out the twin part for now as one it was obvious or so he thought and two he was rather angry at him and at that bit right now .

“His brother ? Oh is this how you get out of what you just did ?! You poisoned me ! You KILLED ME !” She launches at him now , she draws a hand back and aims to slap him , he catches it and she pounds his chest with a closed fist before he catches that as well .

“Morgana . I am just as upset about all of this as you are believe me . I am here caring for you because otherwise I may be doing something I’d later regret to my brother .”

He’s getting her back into bed as she begins to fight less and less as she actually takes him in , notices the longer hair , his eyes aren’t that blue but more green like her own . He looks rougher , more experienced in life .

“He’s dead ! I’ll kill him myself !” She shouts out , tears welling up in her eyes as she finds energy anew but Blaine’s arms encircle her and she breaks into sobs . A silent unspoken agreement that no one speak of the vulnerability in the moment .

It was two weeks later that she would finally see Merlin again for the first time , and she would in fact try to attack him . Her dagger she always wore in her belt came to be her choice of weapon and she had managed to draw it and hold it to his throat . Arthur and Blaine would be there to pull the two apart . And finally Morgana would see the two brothers side by side and it settled in even further the fact they were in fact two different people . And so began her like for one and her dislike for the other even more so .

special mentions of @fatheredlegend

[lets-all-calm-down-a-bit]

Magic of the Mundane

I wanted to post this because even though it’s not Christmas, these two are tearing me to pieces and I needed an outlet. Also I wanted to add a nice fluffy fic to the pile of sad or sexual ones. I’ve never done this before so please be patient.

Summary: Merlin comes home on Christmas Eve to Arthur waiting for him

Warnings: Some mild cursing but that is it.

Words: 1217

    It was Christmas Eve, and Merlin was feeling like horse dung. He did every year when this day came around. The day Arthur died.

    He’d waited centuries for Arthur to come back to him, and 3 years ago, he did. Exactly 3 years ago. Pretty on the nose to send Arthur back on the day he died, right? But Merlin wasn't complaining. He had him back, Gods he had him back and it felt so good.

    But Merlin couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he had. Arthur was back, but he had left so easily. What if some higher power decided it was time for the story to come full circle, and Arthur would die once again? No. Even if Merlin got him back on this day, he would not forget this was the day he lost him. He will never forget.

    As people chattered with their families and friends in front of brightly lit shops of red and green, Merlin shuffled past at a brisk pace, brushing snow from his hair to no avail. The thick blanket of shiny white crunched under his boots as he made his way back to his home. Their home. He let out a huff of warm air and watched as his breath became a white cloud in the cold winter sky. He let out a slight smile. Now that was magic. The earth was astounding in so many ways, and he wasn't about to forget it. 

    When Merlin finally turned down the winding gravel road that lead home, he was beginning to feel tired, lonely, and not at all fond of the cold weather. A freezing, wet, stinging sensation met his head as slightly melted snow dripped from the canopy of bare branches above him. He cursed and muttered a quick incantation to melt it off.

 “This bloody weather wouldn't be so bad if Arthur would get his fat arse up and come with me,” He thought, but he didn't mean it. In fact, Arthur had offered to come with him, but Merlin had insisted on him staying home, worried he might catch something and be taken away again.

    Once he reached the end of the gravel path and was thoroughly soaked, he made it home. The house wasn’t small, but it wasn't too big either. Perfect for two, and maybe a guest every once in a while. It was sturdy, with stone walls, and charming, with a moss-covered roof and window boxes with flowers. Of course, there were no flowers right now, but you should see them in spring—the garden surrounding the house combined with the vibrant window boxes made for a beautiful sight. Merlin built the house himself.

    He stomped the snow from his boots on the doormat and turned the brass knob, sighing as the warm air his face. Quickly he stumbled inside, taking off his boots and placing them by the door. Reaching up to hang his coat, he lifted his voice enough to be heard around the house.

    “Arthur, I’m home!” He called, walking toward the living room, shivering. Arthur was sitting in an overly extravagant red armchair next to the fire, looking up at Merlin with reading glasses on and a book in hand.

    “Well, you don't have to shout, Mer-lin. I heard you come through the door with all your stomping and carrying on.” He drawled, placing a bookmark in between the pages and snapping the book shut. Merlin rolled his eyes, but internally breathed a sigh of relief. He was here. He was ok. He was still a prat, but he was ok.

    “What have you been reading? I'm scared for you, your brain might just burst if you force it to do something so out of its comfort zone.” Merlin quipped, sitting on the arm of the chair and peering over at the cover. Arthur scoffed and shoved him away, holding the book out of reach and hiding the cover from his sight. 

    “It’s a nice book called none of your damn business, Merlin. I think you could have a lot to learn from it. I should give it to you when I'm finished.” He retorted, concealing it beneath a pillow at his side. Merlin let out a frustrated puff and plopped down on the couch.

    “Fine then. Keep your secrets. I’ve just been freezing my arse off outside trying to find milk while there's a shortage. Didn't even find any, by the way, the shelves were empty. I went all the way out there just for nothing, and you won't even tell me what’s on your current reading list.”

    Arthur’s eyes softened, and he reached out for Merlin’s hand. Despite his best efforts to suppress a smile, it played on the corners of Merlin’s lips.

    “Oh, you know it’s not like that. I’m just planning something, that’s all. You’ll find out in due time, you mad old man.” Arthur said fondly. It turned out that knowing just how to rub Merlin the wrong way resulted in the eventual easy knowledge of how to do it right. Merlin relented and grinned, squeezing his hand and watching the way the light from the fire flickered and reflected on Arthur’s golden hair, giving the impression of a halo, or a crown. Or magic. Merlin thought, moving his thumb back and forth over Arthur’s. He sighed.

    “Why don't you come over here? I’m cold and it's uncomfortable holding hands over the coffee table.” He murmured, giving Arthur that half-goofy, half-unbearably mushy grin that he can never bring himself to refuse. After a moment of apparent contemplation and a quick fight between reluctance and exasperation, he gave in and got up, settling down next to Merlin on the small couch. Merlin laid his head on Arthur's shoulder and looked up at him with an expression so warm he thought for a moment he could see the slight gold to his eyes that appears when he does magic. Arthur blinked and realized it was a reflection of the firelight. Regardless, it was beautiful. He was beautiful. He closed his eyes and felt the soothing repetition of Merlin brushing his thumb over his own, taking in the moment.

    “You know, your eyes are breathtaking when you do magic. It's like sparks of reflected firelight.” He whispered, feeling Merlin press a kiss to his temple and catching his breath. He’s had 2 years to get used to being touched, to being loved in such a sincere way. But the tenderness of it still catches him off guard. To think that a man such as Merlin could love him after everything he's done was unfathomable. He slowly breathed out as Merlin pressed gentle kisses in the corner of his mouth, on his forehead, and on the bridge of his nose. He was loved. He was loved.

    Merlin echoed his thoughts aloud as if he had known what he was thinking. “You are loved, Arthur. You deserve love.”

Arthur shivered and tightened his grip on Merlin’s hand. “I-I know. Don't be daft.” He muttered painfully. Merlin traced Arthurs's face with his free hand, cradling his cheek and pressing another soft kiss between his drawn-together brows.

“Thank you for coming back,” Merlin whispered, his voice wavering. Arthur let his mind slip away, and replied before surrendering to sleep,

“Thank you for waiting.”

[bookwormscififan]

Albion Lives, Chapter One

Buy me a coffee?

Read on AO3!

A/N: Here's chapter one! Arthur returns, Gwen makes her appearance, and the king receives an update.

This is where our story begins.

Camelot had fallen. It had fallen not because most of the knights had retired from old age or death, but because nobody in Camelot had any will left to fight.

Gwen sat in a cell, absentmindedly running a thumb over the Pendragon seal. Her son, Arthur II, now in his early twenties, sat beside her with a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Everything will be alright, Mother,” he said softly, knowing everything would not, in fact, be alright.

“I appreciate your optimism, Artie, but I know Camelot is no longer a Pendragon kingdom.” Gwen closed her eyes and raised her head.

If only Merlin and Arthur had been here, she thought despairingly.

----

Merlin was setting up camp at the banks of the lake, rubbing his hands together nearby the fire.

He glanced at the water, watching ripples cross its tranquil surface, then blinked and rose to his feet as his dragon called.

He watched, transfixed, as a shape began to emerge from the water.

Slowly the point of something rose, growing into a familiar sword, held by a hand clad in leather, which grew into an armoured arm.

Merlin blinked back tears as a very familiar head emerged, then smiled as his friend began to walk out of the water.

Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, lowered his sword arm as he reached the bank, looking the same as he had twenty years ago.

“Arthur…” Merlin breathed, still not quite believing that his friend was back.

“Merlin, is that you? You look like you’ve been bathing in horse dung,” the once-and-future king remarked, patting the warlock’s shoulder.

“It’s been twenty years… I’ve been waiting here for you to return,” Merlin replied, voice soft and on the verge of tears.

“Kilgarra said when Albion is at it’s most hopeless, you would return.”

Arthur sheathed his sword, looking over the water at Aithusa, then looked back at Merlin.

“I trust you have a horse?”

Merlin shook his head, explaining that he hadn’t returned to Camelot since Arthur died.

The king pulled a face, then clapped his hands.

“…Right, then. We shall walk to Camelot at first light. Do you have anything to eat?”

Merlin and Arthur were sat by the fire, watching the stars and eating some poor rabbit Merlin had caught in his traps.

“You’ve learnt a lot since my departure,” Arthur stated, impressed by the flavour of dinner.

Merlin just nodded, chewing his food thoughtfully. He had spent so many years watching the lake and dreaming of Arthur’s return, he was terrified that this was just another dream.

“Are you really back?” Arthur stopped eating, lowering his hands to look at the warlock.

“Of course, I’m here Merlin. I’m real. Touch my hand, can you feel the leather of my glove? I’m here, I’m real, and I won’t leave again.”

----

Gwen was woken from her slumber by a loud noise. She reached out for her son, heart pounding.

“It’s alright, Mother. I’m here,” Artie said, voice quiet and soothing.

“Artie… I heard a noise…” Gwen murmured.

The young prince nodded, eyes slowly moving toward the entrance to the prison.

----

In the royal crypt, dust settled on torn cobwebs hanging from the walls.

A loud crack sounded, causing the walls of the crypt to shake, tearing up cobwebs and causing more dust to fall.

Somewhere deep inside the crypt, Arthur’s empty marble casket broke, a large crack splitting the carved image of the king.

----

Tears in his eyes, Merlin placed a shaking hand on Arthur’s forehead, fighting his emotions as he began his final spell.

The boat floated silently across the lake, barely making a ripple as Merlin said goodbye to his friend and master.

When the boat went out of sight, the warlock turned away…

“Arthur!” Merlin woke himself by his scream, panic filling him as he looked around. Warm hands took his cold ones, and slowly he became aware of a soft voice.

“…here. Merlin, I’m here. It’s okay.” The king leaned into the warlock’s field of vision, eyes wide as he worked to calm his companion.

“I’ve got some food we’ll eat, then we can start our journey back to Camelot,” Arthur said, moving toward the fire.

The duo had a breakfast of rabbits and berries, then packed their things and began the trek home.

----

Back in Camelot, the new king sat on his stolen throne chipping wedges out of the armrests.

He stared out the window at his “kingdom”, watching people building a better wall around the castle.

“Sire.” The king looked at the door, where George stood waiting for permission.

“Speak.” George stepped forward, fingers fiddling with his jacket.

“Sire, I was walking past the crypt earlier on my way to the stables to clean the saddles—”

“Speak, boy! I do not have all day to hear you blabbering!” The king boomed, making George flinch back.

“I heard a sound, so I went inside to find out.” He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

“Arthur’s casket is broken, sire, and there was some writing on the floor beside it.”

The king leaned forward, intrigued now.

“What did it say? Tell me!”

George hesitated, then, as if afraid to speak, opened his mouth. “Albion lives.”

[merlin-emrys-wyllt]

Merlin hummed. "Technically, yes, but you're still you, and magic is legal now... If you wanted, we could make a case that magic brought you back." He didn't realise Arthur's thoughts on the matter until he spoke again. How could he think that? After everything Merlin revealed to him when he died, did he seriously think that Merlin wouldn't want him in his life? He gave him a small smile as he said he deserved everything and more. He didn't even care if Arthur wanted his place as king back. The only reason Merlin had taken to position was because he loved Gwen and didn't want her to have to rule alone. They had also been on the verge of all-out war with the druids, over the fact that the prophecy hadn't been fulfiled. The only way to calm them down had been for him to become king, and promise that he would legalise magic.

He let out a chocked laugh as the tears finally began to spill from his eyes. "You're an idiot." He gave in and wrapped his arms around the man, giving him a tight hug. "Do you seriously think I wouldn't want you in my life, you prat?" He let out a small chuckle, "I told you my magic is for you? What part of that did you not understand?" Artie watched them interact with some recognition, finally flashing in his eyes. He turned to his brother and began excitedly whispering to him about the fact that he'd actually met Arthur. The Arthur! Gwaine slapped a hand on his forhead and spoke to Lancelot, "ohhh, that's why he looked so familiar." Once Merlin had calmed down a little, he lifted his head and wiped at his eyes, giving Arthur a soft smile. "I don't care if you want your old position back. I never really wanted to be king in the first place, but I couldn't leave Gwen ruling alone." He glances away with a slightly guilty look on his face, he felt bad for technically stealing his wife.

The King's New... Career?

// Media: BBC's The Adventures of Merlin (2008)

Premise: Arthur returns, back in the Dark/Middle Ages. Wanting to take a break from being king, or to put the past behind and start anew, he puts his skills as a warrior to use, as he has no other job skills. But destiny still wants its Once And Future King.

Seeking: All who would interact with the former and future ruler of Camelot who's briefly freed from the chains of commanding!

Camelot. It had been years since Arthur walked these streets and much had changed while he had not. He did some thinking when he'd first awoken in the woods near the Lake of Avalon. Part of him felt a duty to return to his throne but that duty had technically ended. By law, he was no longer Arthur Pendragon: Arthur Pendragon was dead. He could be anyone, do just about anything with his life! Though that was all true, he still felt drawn to the kingdom of his birth. He really wanted to see it prosper and flourish without him, to ensure its success, in whatever way he was able to.

Arthur had turned his cape emblazoned with the Pendragon coat of arms inside out and made it into a makeshift pack and carried Excalibur in it as he headed, still dressed in armor, towards the castle where work, food, and coin could be found for someone in need of it. He'd get a plainer sword from the armory, when he could. Excalibur was too unique and, though he didn't want to leave it, he didn't want to be identified by it. If he could become a simple man-at-arms, or a guard, or even a huntsman, who worked at the citadel, he'd have a front row seat in the shadows to observe and to aid. All he had to do is see where he could be needed most and think of what he could call himself. If he wasn't Arthur Pendragon, who could he be?

[imkylotrash]

Complex

Pairing: Bill Weasley x reader

Request: When he was first scratched, he was super bummed and didn't know how to get through it and acted like an asshole to everybody, so Remus introduces him to a former student who had a similar experience ( so has minimum wolf qualifies ) and she is able to get him off his ass & help him through what he’s going through. She also happens to be a curse breaker like he is. Anonymous

Tagging: @bitchwhytho​ @music-of-melody​ @shadowhuntyi​ @avada-kedavra-bitch-187​ @canthebest1​ Let me know if you want to be added or removed. 

His arms engulf you in a warm hug the second you step off your broom. Attempting to hide your wince, you burrow your face into his shoulder but he knows you well enough to sense when you're in pain. Of course, he's also known you for almost 15 years at this point.

"What happened?" he asks, his lips stretching into thin lines. He doesn't exactly like the fact that you've now officially received the title of curse-breaker.

"Manticore. I've never heard of anyone being able to use them as guards." Oh, if looks could kill. Remus Lupin has always had a bit of a soft spot for you. Especially after you were attacked by a werewolf. The scars of four claws ran down your back, but you never changed. The moon made you hungry for red meat but you'd managed to walk away without the curse of lycanthropy.

"I thought they'd gone extinct," he manages to say.

"Definitely not. They're rare, but not gone." With a flick of the wrist, you have your baggage floating behind you as you head for the door.

"There's a friend here I'd like for you to meet." You sigh deeply. It's been a long journey, you reek of sweat and dirt, and you're trying very hard to disguise your limping. The last thing you need is to be introduced to someone new. But you also know what Remus went through not too long ago. Even you felt the pain when it was announced to the world that the famous Albus Dumbledore had died.

"Can't wait," you smile despite being close to collapsing from pure exhaustion. However, it turns out that no introduction is needed as you enter your living room. Bill Weasley has quite the reputation among your circles. The thing you're not expecting is the scars down his face. All of a sudden, your back is burning.

"Merlin's beard," you whisper as Remus comes up behind you.

"Bill, I'd like you to meet Y/N." You know why he wants you to meet. You recognize the look in Bill's eyes. It's the look of defeat - of fear. He mustn't have had his first full moon yet.

"I'd shake your hand but I'm fairly certain I need about five showers before I'm fit to even sit on the couch," you joke but he doesn't respond. In fact, he just huffs a little and remains seated. No signal is needed to get Remus to follow you into the kitchen.

"What is this? Werewolf trauma 101?"

"His family is worried. I thought it might benefit him to see that it isn't the end of the world."

"Is that how you felt?" It's a low blow. There's a massive difference between what you and Remus went through. He has to fear the full moon each month, while you sleep soundly in your bed. But you're tired, and you're struggling with your own memories.

"Just talk to him. That's all I ask." So, you talk at him. Quite literally, you talk at him while he remains silent. After an hour, you've grown tired of repeating the same advice and suggestions, and so has Bill.

"Thanks for the, uhm, pep talk. I'm sure I'll be just fine now," he says dryly before getting up. You don't bother stopping him even after Remus gives you a look.

"I can't help someone who refuses to be helped."

But over the next few days, you feel guilty for letting him leave so easily. You remember that first month of absolute terror and frankly, you can't blame him for his behavior considering how you acted even worse. So, you do the only logical thing you can think of. You pack your bags and head for the Shell Cottage. Once before you visited with Arthur while on Order business, but you remember it like it was yesterday. You love that little cottage. Almost more than your own tiny house deep in a forest.

"Make yourself known." Making sure to keep your empty hands visible, you step forward.

"Just me." Bill slowly lowers his wand and steps inside. "Welcome, Y/N. So good to have you." Still mumbling by the time you reach the door, you take one final look at your surroundings before entering the cottage.

"Son of a Bludger, what have you done with the place?" It's in shambles. Mess everywhere, day-old food on the table, papers ripped apart and thrown across the room.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, ignoring your previous comment.

"I'm here because I'm a better person than you right now and despite your very rude behavior last time, I still want to help you." When he growls at you, your hand instinctively reaches for your wand.

"Right, you're afraid of me," he laughs, venom dripping from every word. There's no way you were ever this bad, right? Your burning cheeks betray you because you do remember the feelings coursing through him. When you were mutilated, you pushed everyone away. You became a hermit until you were sure you weren't going to hurt anyone.

"I'm not afraid of you. But you're not exactly a trustworthy person at the minute." Basically the same thing though. You're a little afraid of his reactions, but you're not about to let him know.

"Could you help bring in my suitcases? Molly said I was welcome to stay here while I figure out some protection for my own home." Horrible excuse. Your house is probably more protected than Shell Cottage but you also know he'll never let you stay unless you make him believe that you have nowhere else to go.

"It's war. One can never be too safe,” you add as you head for the guest room. This is going to take a while. And a while it takes. Merlin, you’re ready to give up several times. Three weeks pass before you even get him to go outside, and he complains the entire time. And just as you think you’re making progress, his mother stops by. Now, you like Molly Weasley. She has the best intentions but the pity in her eyes, her voice, her every action... it’s the exact thing Bill doesn’t need. Even you let out a deep sigh when she finally packs up her stuff after three days of uncut tension. 

“Nice lady,” you comment in the evening as you’re sitting in front of the fire. The silence lingers long enough for you to give up waiting for an answer. Then he laughs. It’s a little high-pitched and not all the way natural, but it’s a laugh. And you’ll take it. 

“Imagine growing up with her,” he laughs, and you join him. Bill Weasley doesn’t need to be coddled and having Molly visit just proves that very fact. 

“Alright, enough sitting around. Take my arm.” He hesitates but you can tell he just needs that little push. “Trust me.” Darkness swallows the both of you as you apparate to the nearest village. Without waiting for his reaction, you pull him into the nearest pub. 

“One beer. And then you’re free to leave.” It’s a muggle pub. No one will know what has happened to Bill here. They might think a bear got him or some other animal, but no one will shy away in fear (or disgust) he might turn into a werewolf. 

“Fine.” You’re taken by surprise when he so easily agrees, but you’re quick to recover and buy two beers before he changes his mind. 

“Cheers,” you say to the bartender before finding a table in the dark corner of the pub. When Bill isn’t fully consumed by self-loathing, he’s actually a pretty decent guy. You both share stories from some of your near-death adventures as curse-breakers, but he doesn’t ask the question you know he’s dying to ask, and you don’t offer the answer. But five beers later, even you are a little unsteady on your feet. Apparating back home is a lot more difficult when the world is spinning. But you manage without losing any limps. By the time you’re walking through the front door, Bill is giggling. 

“Come on, droopy. Time for bed,” you chuckle as you half carry him to his bedroom. He collapses on the bed, pulling you with him. 

“Stay in here tonight,” he mumbles but when you lock eyes with him, he seems almost sober. Logically, you know this is a bad idea, but he smells nice. And his hair looks so cute in that stupid man-bun. Before you know it, you’re closing the gap between the two of you. His lips are soft, gentle, and your head spins from the sensation. Any doubt you might have had goes out the window, when he cups your cheek and deepens the kiss. 

“Stay,” he repeats and you can do nothing but obey him. When his hands goes to the hem of your shirt and begin to remove it, you grab his hands to stop him. He’s nice enough to not comment on your shaking hands. 

“I don’t—I— It’s not pretty,” you finally say and your scars begin to burn as if they were fresh wounds. 

“I know.” He doesn’t sugarcoat it. He doesn’t try to convince you that you’re still pretty. He accepts your feelings because he knows. So, you let him remove your shirt. The cold makes you shiver, but you don’t hide under the covers. You want him to see you - all of you. When he gently runs his hand down your back, you feel tears sting your eyes. You don’t talk much for the rest of the night, but at one point you open up about how it happened. He listens not once interrupting you. Afterwards, he holds you for a long time. 

It’s the first night of complete honesty and it’s what starts your relationship. You saved him from himself but in some ways, he saved you too. 

[witchmd13]

I can’t sleep and this idea of Merlin and Arthur growing up together as kids but still in magic banned camelot wouldn’t leave my head. It kinda got out of hand a little in the middle. Sorry? Here it is anyway.

Balinor having gotten together with Hunith just as in canon but then Hunith turns up at Gaius’ doorstep with a newborn baby in her arms a few months later.

Merlin and arthur meeting when they’re toddlers. Arthur still haven’t internalized uther’s A++ parenting and still is a curious, lonely, 5-year-old, driving his nursemaid half mad when he would disappear within seconds of her taking her eyes off him.

Merlin just starting to discover his intrinsic magic and Hunith seriously considering leaving camelot for good to protect him, except she doesn’t want to leave her job as a herbologist, and instead refusing to let Merlin be out of her sight for 2 seconds all day.

Merlin running away one day when Hunith is distracted and finding Arthur who slipped unnoticed from nursemaid when she takes him out one sunny day.

They become friends immediately Arthur makes fun of Merlin’s ears and Merlin pushes him into the mud. Arthur is so confused no one has ever touched him before except his nursemaid. Even his father has never so much patted his hair before. And here’s this boy who just pushed him into the mud because Arthur called him big ears.

Merlin feels proud of himself for a moment towering over wide eyed Arthur until the latter grabs his legs and pulls him into the mud with him.

They end up rubbing mud into each other’s hair and noses and clothes. Hunith finds them a few minutes later. Arthur watches her run to scoop Merlin into her arms, expecting a shouting, but all he sees is tears in her eyes as she asks Merlin if he’s hurt.

She turns to Arthur next and though she doesn’t hug him, she asks him if he’s okay and wipes the mud out of his face just like she did Merlin’s. She returns him to his nursemaid once he tells her his name.

They’re inseparable from that day hence.

The first time merlin does noticeable magic in front arthur it is a couple days after uther breaks one of Arthur’s favorite toys in one of his angry fits. Arthur doesn’t show up to play with Merlin like they agreed to and Merlin finds him hiding under a tree in the courtyard near where they first met, not crying “because father says crying is for children and he’s not a child anymore, Merlin.” but staring at the toy in his hands helplessly, his lower lip trembling. Merlin doesn’t know how it happens but he blinks and the toy is put back together before he could think. For a moment he can’t breathe, he remembers Hunith’s warnings despite not understanding the reason behind them, but then the fascinated wonder on Arthur’s face makes Merlin forget everything else and the watery grin he gives him as he holds his toy up to take a closer look at it makes Merlin almost burst with joy.

When they start to know better, Arthur swears to keep his best friend’s secret until the day he dies.

Arthur’s twelve when uther tells him he’s coming with him to a military campaign he’s planning. Arthur’s been a squire for six months until that point.

Merlin and Arthur have their first big fight that day when arthur tells him he’s going, but making it sound like it was his idea. Merlin doesn’t buy it and tells arthur just that, adding the fact that he thinks uther’s utterly insane for taking arthur with him when he hasn’t been a squire for a few months. Arthur lets his rage take the better part of him and slams the door of Merlin’s room on his way out after yelling at Merlin that he can’t talk about the king like that.

They don’t talk for a week after.

The night before Arthur’s supposed to leave, Merlin sneaks into his room. He stands there, not finding the words, before arthur hugs him. If Merlin feels a damp cheek against his neck, he doesn’t say anything, and Arthur doesn’t say anything about the moisture in Merlin’s own eyes. they don’t talk about the fight or about leaving but spend the night huddled under blankets and clutching each other like they’re going to be separated for a year.

Arthur comes back a month later, a small gush on his arm, but otherwise totally unharmed. They barely hug and exchange a couple words. Arthur’s busy, being celebrated by the court, having double the usual attention he’s got on him, and Merlin’s busy helping Gaius and Hunith prepare medicine for the injured, and helping them heal. Merlin tells himself that’s why they can’t talk, even though he catches Arthur’s eye a couple times during the feast that night but Arthur looks away immediately.

Arthur’s duties increase ten folds for the next couple weeks, so do Merlin’s. They don’t really talk for another couple weeks.

When Merlin comes home one day late at night from helping Gaius attend a childbirth, he finds Arthur in his room, sitting on his bed, twisting his hands in his lap.

That night is the first time merlin sees arthur cry since the day uther broke his toy. Arthur’s eyes are looking at everything but him as he tells him what happened on uther’s campaign. Who they were supposed to attack.

Merlin is shaking as Arthur describes the druids camp they attacked, his voice strangled, describing how he tried to warn as many as he could, tried to help as many as he could run but still couldn’t do much, how he had to helplessly do what uther told him to, how he kept imaging Merlin and morgana in the back of his mind. Merlin doesn’t say anything until Arthur tells him how he couldn’t look Merlin in the eye after what he’s done, but he just couldn’t stay away and Merlin holds him in his arms until morning. Arthur vows he would die before he does what he did again.

The prophecy happens. Merlin meets kilgharrah when he’s a little older and has his magic under control with Gaius’s help.

Arthur and Merlin stand together for all the years to come later, all the trials destiny throws at them, knowing each other’s hearts like they knew theirs. Camelot like a jewel thriving around them.