#trickler merlin

[vampyreblogger]

tom:

trickler:

tristan:

tristan de bois:

tyr seward:

uther pendragon:

valiant:

william:

[gramnel]

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Now it's almost half of the alphabet!

[penguicorns-are-cool]

I love the peace treaty episode of Merlin with the Trickler and Lady Vivian. I really think the Trickler and Lady Vivian are my favorite guest characters in the whole show so far

That entire episode is just so fun. King Alined, the Trickler, Lady Vivian, and Arthur act so well in that. Like it feels like watching Shakespeare except easier to understand and less wordy. All of their actions are so exaggerated and comical and it really feels like a folklore™

[johannestevans]

obsessed with how faggy and effete Trickler is in BBC Merlin, he's SO much fun and soooooo delightfully gay

[justaz]

need post magic reveal/ban repeal where magic is free and everyone grows in their knowledge of just what magic is and how it works etc, etc. merlin (isn't one for bragging about his powers) doesn't really mention much about his magic so people just assume he has enough to get by with like chores but not enough to catch the ire of uther EXCEPT for gauis, lancelot, and arthur bc gaius and lancelot have known about him for years and know what he's capable of and arthur sat merlin down and demanded all the stories so arthur knows he'd be a formidable opponent but he doesn't really get it yk? so he's like "yeah merlin has magic and he's capable of defending himself and camelot so he's probably on the more powerful end of the spectrum like every other sorcerer who is powerful"

and then i need merlin to be Different. like noticeably different. like idk a sorcerer is like trying out to be court sorcerer (bc merlin doesn't want another job dammit arthur give it morgana or someone-) and they perform this elaborate spell that captivates merlin and he starts asking all these questions and the sorcerer is like "yeah it's super difficult, it took me months to get it right and it takes years for some others-" and they cut themselves off bc merlin was just like "i wanna try" and does it perfectly first try. the sorcerer is seething.

camelot is hit with a heatwave and everyone is suffering and arthur is just like "morgana can you make it rain or something? it's too hot to breathe." and morgana is just like "no you idiot i can't just bend nature to my will. it doesn't like that." and merlin finally arrives with waterskins full of nice, cold, refreshing drink that the knights are frothing at the mouth to get. arthur complains again and morgana huffs and merlin is like "has he been like that this whole time?" and morgana nods with a groan and merlin laughs before going "i can try something" and leaves before anyone can say anything and arthur looks at morgana and is like "i thought you said nature doesn't like to be controlled?" and she's like "it doesn't" and then they all chase after merlin but he's chilling in the courtyard with his eyes closed, not even chanting, and then the sky starts to darken as black clouds roll in, the temperature plummets and then...snow begins to fall. in july. they all end up having a snowball fight.

a power hungry sorcerer comes along and is like "emrys....he's perfect....just what i need...teehee" and casts some spell over merlin and begins to siphon his magic and his power and merlin feels waves of his magic flood through the connection and into the sorcerer and like he's a mix of panic and concern bc yeah this mf is taking his magic but they're taking his magic. merlin tries to bargain or talk them down while the knights and arthur try to attack but the sorcerer keeps pushing them back and ignores merlin and is like "i want power, i want your power" blah blah blah monologue time and they swing another wave of magic out at the knights and knock many out while killing some and merlin is just like "ok no that's all folks thanks" and starts to push his own magic through the connection. the sorcerer has this wild gleam in their eyes and they feel more and more power fill them and it's like a high until it gets too much and they frantically try to sever the connection and their telling merlin to stop but merlin is just like "i thought you wanted my power? i'm giving it to you" and continues to flood the sorcerer with his magic until gold begins to trace their skin and they idk explode or smth and then all the magic flies back into merlin and he flexes his hands. unnamed knights 3, 6, 22, 53, and 55 still died so it's a tragedy.

a bunch of sorcerers are entertaining at a feast (kind of like the trickler) and they cast illusions all around the room that look real enough (unless you look too closely or touch it bc they are somewhat see through and your hand would pass right through them) and it's a fun and joyous night. later that week, the knights bring it up during their break while training and merlin is like "sure, what illusion should i cast?" and after some back and forth, he settles on the illusion of a dragon. it's around the size and age of aithusa bc that's all he has to go off of and it's gold since he took inspiration from the pendragon crest all around the area. it jumps around and flaps it's wings to get some air and it's all fine and dandy until elyan goes to poke his hand through it's ribs but meets physical scales and he jumps up into percival's arms. merlin looks closer and is like "oh. its real. whoops." and leon is like "whoops?? you make a real life dragon and all you have to say is whoops?" and merlin shrugs and is like "it was an accident" and leon about keels over from a heart attack "an accident? how do you accidentally-" the dragon is considered a gift from magic to camelot and helps further heal the wounds of uther's purge.

idk just like merlin being casually the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth and unnerving people just by how little he seems to care about his shows of power but they're all like "well he's just doing all these small things that don't harm anyone and he doesn't even seem to realize just how powerful he is so what can ya do?" and they leave it be and make peace with merlin being Like That. and then camelot/arthur is attacked or smth idk and then everyone gets to see exactly how powerful and dangerous merlin is

[rsbry-beret]

what do bbc merlin, golden showers, and reagan’s economic system all have in common?

[thisisjustmefangirling]

Merlin rewatch, 2x10 : Sweet dreams.

Episode rewatched on the 16th of april 2024

Summary :

Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined really wants is war and he'll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic. 

Alined's jester Trickler puts a spell on Arthur to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf's daughter Vivian. Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war. 

Can Merlin free Arthur's heart before the prince loses his head in battle?

Sounds like a crucial piece of information for Arthur's future, as he is supposedly destined to unite Albion.

Alined looks as amiable as a prison door. Funny to see how he treats his servant and compare it to how Arthur treats Merlin. I wish we'd see how Uther treats his own servant but it seems like this character doesn't exist.

That knight handshake cracks me up all the time. Supposing that we don't sneeze or cough into our elbow, this is a very Covid-era like way of saying hello.

Oh hi Georgia Tennant ! <3

Arthur, you can be such a gentleman sometimes !

Oh wait THIS IS THE "Destiny and chicken" episode !!!!! Aaaaah I'm excited ! I love this line.

Why does the servant's face looks so familiar to me ? He must have acted in something else I've watched.

Vivian quickly revealing herself to be a brat like one of those Upper East side nepo babies from Gossip girl... That's gonna be fun ! I wonder what Georgia remembers from shooting this episode.

Arthur praising Guinevere <3

"She is one of Camelot's finest". "Then I fear for Camelot".

Milady. You're getting Lady Morgana's private maid. This is special treatment. Be graceful about it.

The disbelief on Arthur's face !

"Good luck with that one".

And then they laugh. How cute !

I think Vivian is an incredibly interesting character because she serves as a contrast for several character : Guinevere, and Arthur.

Let's not forget that she is acting like a spoiled brat, just like Arthur was when he first met Merlin. He's made some progress since then, and we see that in how he reacts to Vivian's behaviour.

Then, Vivian is a contrast to Guinevere : one is spoilt, demanding and arrogant, the other is hardworking, sweet, humble and kind. Two kinds of woman, two kinds of love interest.

"You should have heard what she said to Gwen".

I love these scenes between Arthur and Merlin when they're going about their daily routine, especially when they're in Arthur's bedroom being all domestic. Here, Arthur is dressing for the feast.

He had a hole in his first shirt, created by moths ! It's pretty weird that Merlin doesn't seem to care it would leave a bad impression on the five kings present at the feast. I like to think Merlin is both a bad and an extremely competent servant in his own way. He'll mess with unimportant stuff but will be extremely careful with Arthur's armor and making him look good to other people, especially foreign dignitaries. Well, that's my headcanon.

Merlin truly has no fear, he can just bring up Arthur's love for Gwen like that, out of the blue, when Arthur doesn't want to talk about it and is denying it (even after admitting his feelings about her to Merlin a few episodes ago when they were on their way to rescue Gwen from those bandits).

Arthur's threats can't make Merlin back down. He knows deep down, Arthur won't hurt him. He can keep on teasing him and laugh a bit about it.

"You're blushing !" "No I'm not."

Morgana should always be surrounded with pretty women. This should have been her destiny.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ? BLUE BUTTERFLIES ? MERLIN'S FAVOURITE MAGIC SPELL ?

How can Alined treat his servant like a total buffoon when he knows he has magic ?

Also while sometimes love potions can make people act stupid and in funny ways on tv, I think we'd laugh way less if this was GHB.

Are the CROWN PRINCE'S CHAMBERS never properly guarded ? I swear ! Fuck ! No wonder prisoners keep escaping, the security in this castle is a vast mess ! And why is Arthur not waking up ? You're a soldier for fuck's sake. The way the guy pops up and down like he came from under the mattress and is going back there... Comical but illogical. Get up and leave, maybe ?

"You're dressed".

Everytime Merlin shows up to Arthur's room in the morning and Arthur is awake, up and dressed, Merlin is surprised.

"Indeed, you are very skilled... at getting people to do things for you." "That is your job".

Merlin is not afraid to spit the truth hahaha.

"I wish to make a proclamation of love".

Arthur you never speak of your feelings so openly. Ever.

Aww I love when Merlin is arranging Arthur's clothes and basically touching him as part of his job.

"Right. What will you tell your father?" "What does my father matter?" "Well, that's one way of approaching things."

"Of course" Merlin replies, and Merlin rolls his eyes, because of course even in love Merlin has to do Arthur's job for him.

Arthur you are clumsy with your feelings and how to express them even under a lovespell, but you still look extremely cute <3

You know what, this is the kind of scene that make me doubt that Merlin is bi and think he might actually be gay, and his short lived affair with Freya was more about compassion and the feeling of finally be with kin, people who understand him, that about attraction and romantic love.

"Flowers ?" "Excellent. Find some. Perhaps you should also send a note". "Brilliant idea". "Something moving. Something... from the heart. Something... You'll think of something".

Arthur relies so much on Merlin omg. I would say that this is because he's enchanted but I think I remember him making Merlin pick flowers to give Gwen in season 5.

OHMYGOD MERLIN THIS IS WHAT YOU WROTE TO GWEN ? You have strong Cyrano powers ! It never ends well. Gosh. And the flowers are in the colours of Gwen's favourite outfits : cream and light purple. Merlin, were you ever to court someone, you would have a VERY strong game. Anyone you would woo would fall under your charm instantly.

Intricate ritual : manhandle your servant as you talk about what you made him do to court the woman you are enchanted to be in love with. Touch him, grab him. And then talk about how beautiful that woman is.

Merlin you're finally picking up on something.

This is the face of someone who realised that :

A) There's something wrong happening with Arthur

B) He fucked up.

Two things to know about Merlin :

He never knocks.

He always has the lamest excuses for being somewhere and they usually involve vermin : moths, woodworms, and now rats.

I love seeing Gwen smile... Her life probably isn't easy, and it shows a nice attention like a bouquet of flowers can change someone's day for the better <3

Haha Merlin trying to get Gaius to help but he can't tell him the specifics because he can't reveal Arthur is actually in love with Gwen ! He's being a good friend.

One of my favourite lines ever from the show.

Help he's so insistent and into the food x)

He's so lucky Merlin arrived when he did! Poor Arthur, his feelings are hurt...

There is no straight explanation for this, Alined.

Arthur, you're cute. You need a hug.

"It might be worthwhile returning to your old love."

You know what, this is actually the first time I hear Merlin expressing doubts about Arthur's feelings for Gwen and their relationship.

Part 2 in another post, I can't add more pictures to this one.

[franzis-frantic-thoughts]

Get ready for another love spell and Georgia motherfucking Tennant.

S02E10 — Sweet Dreams

Rulers from the Five Kingdoms converge on Camelot for a peace conference, including King Olaf and his spoilt, over-protected daughter Vivian. King Alined is also present, along with his jester, the wizard Trickler. He is a disruptive force who wants to cause discord between Olaf and Uther to gain ultimate power for himself. To this end he gets Trickler to bewitch Vivian and Arthur so that they fall in love and incur the annoyance of Olaf, who will challenge Arthur to a duel. This time it is down to Guinevere, rather than Merlin, to break the spell.

[legends-of-time]

Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 28: Sweet Dreams

Masterlist

Amelia's POV

Amelia doesn't know if she's feeling extra tense today because it is the day that rulers of the five Kingdoms come together to work towards peace or because she worries this is a new episode and she still hasn't found her notes so has no idea about the outcome.

Amelia doesn't have to be there to greet the Kings as they arrive but she has to be there when settling Lady Vivian, the daughter of King Olaf, into her room as Uther has ordered her to be there to welcome her and make her feel comfortable. Why can't Morgana do this?

Amelia is with Arthur when he escorts Vivian to her Guest Chambers. Hopefully, she will only have to be here very briefly before dipping out as she has heard that Lady Vivian is a bit full of herself and spoilt.

"I hope everything is to your satisfaction," Arthur says as they trail behind Lady Vivian who seems to be inspecting the room.

"It is... adequate."

Amelia purses her lips in irritation, something about this woman is putting her teeth on edge.

"Most of our guests are extremely happy here. I'm sure you will be, too." Arthur continues after being momentarily knocked off course by Vivian's response.

"Hm. I am not most of your guests." Amelia shares a look with Arthur.

"Why of course..." Amelia mutters sarcastically causing Arthur to nudge her. Gwen then enters.

Arthur glances at her. "Well, er, may I present Guinevere. She'll be looking after you for the duration of your stay. You'll want for nothing. She is truly one of Camelot's finest." Awww...

Lady Vivian giggles. "Then I fear for Camelot."

Arthur and Gwen look shocked at Vivian's rudeness and Amelia agrees with them.

"Is that not a little—"

"Excuse us." Arthur pulls Amelia out of the room with Gwen following.

——

They step out of the room and close the door.

"Amelia..." Arthur begins.

"What?" Amelia asks innocently.

"You can't be rude to guests."

"I wasn't!" Amelia protests. "She was the rude one. Did you hear her?"

The three of them pause and look at each other and laugh.

"Yeah, good luck with that one," Arthur comments to Gwen.

"Mmm." Gwen grins. Arthur stares at her for a bit before she notices. They stare at each other.

"I'm right here guys," Amelia says causing them to startle.

Arthur remembers himself and starts to leave. "We need to prepare for the feast." He pulls Amelia along. She's going to lose her arms by the end of the day if he keeps doing this.

Amelia smirks at him as they stride down the corridor. Well, Arthur strides while Amelia does little runs in between her strides to keep up with him due to her shorter legs.

"Shut up Amelia." Arthur snaps.

"I didn't say anything." Amelia's smirk widens.

——

Amelia and Morgana sit on either side of the Lady Vivian in the Banquet Hall with Anne and Gwen standing behind them. Amelia feels annoyed by this as she can't whisper about anything and everything that annoys her to Morgana.

Trickler, King Alined's Court jester, breathes fire out of his mouth before dancing down the aisle that lies in the middle of the tables towards the top table where the Kings sit. Amelia claps and grins at the performance along with everybody else. When Trickler gets there, he breathes fire in the direction of the Kings, lighting their candles. Amelia gasps at the sight.

"But it is not enough to please just the gentlemen of the Court. Now I have a spectacle for the ladies." Trickler announces turning to where Amelia sits with Morgana and Vivian.

Amelia watches curiously as Trickler produces butterflies out of nowhere. They all gasp and clap.

Trickler suddenly gasps. "But what is this? Lady Vivian." He puts his hand by her ear and pulls it back to reveal a butterfly on his hand. "It has mistaken you for a beautiful flower."

Vivian gasps in delight. Amelia raises an eyebrow, this is all pretty impressive she has to admit.

——

The peace talks begin the next day and Amelia is thankful she doesn't have to be there.

What she is less thankful about is Vivian deciding that they are now best friends and insisting on dragging her about everywhere. At first, it's a horse ride, which ends with a poor servant being severely scolded by Vivian because apparently, he wasn't doing his job properly. Amelia can't help but think about how Vivian is in no place to criticise as she could never be empathetic and doesn't understand that maybe there is more in the world than herself.

Later Amelia is having to walk down the Courtyard Corridor, after an awful outing into the Market in town, along with Gwen and Anne, who Amelia decided should experience this agony, as they listen to Vivian chat their ears off. She catches a glimpse of Merlin and Arthur up ahead and wishes to escape to them but she is unable as Vivian drags Amelia, Anne and Gwen round the corner.

——

Merlin pulls Amelia and Anne to Gaius' Chambers saying that something had happened so they, along with Gaius, sit in front of Merlin who paces.

"I may have caused a problem. Although it wasn't entirely my doing." Merlin announces.

"Uuuhh... what's happened?" Amelia asks cautiously.

"Arthur's in love."

"And how did you cause that?" Gaius remarks.

"That bit isn't my fault, the other bit is." Merlin corrects. "Oh, I can't tell you about that bit."

"Clear as mud."

"Arthur's completely besotted, he can't concentrate on anything. All he thinks about, all he talks about is... is the Lady Vivian." Merlin explains.

Anne's eyebrows reach the stratosphere. "The Lady Vivian? So soon?"

"And why her of all people?" Amelia whines. What happened to Gwen? Would her notes have offered any insight?

Merlin frowns. "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right. Only yesterday he dismissed her as rude."

"Well, obviously," Amelia mutters.

"If Arthur professes his love for Vivian, Olaf will be furious. Surely, Arthur knows that?" Gaius points out.

Merlin sighs and nods. "See, he said it was his job to woo his lady by the end of the day."

"And it's your job to stop him," Gaius says.

——

Amelia, Merlin and Anne hear Vivian's voice echoing down the corridor. They hurry through the corridors and reach Arthur, who stands outside Vivian's Guest Chambers with a platter and a rose, just as the door slams shut.

Oh, dear.

"Just five minutes!" Arthur knocks on the door.

"My Lord, I don't think your advances are welcome," Merlin says.

"Go away! And take your chicken with you!" Comes Vivian's muffled yell.

"Don't know what gives you that impression." Arthur shoves the tray at Merlin.

"Let's go, Arthur. Perhaps in the morning." Amelia urges, pulling him towards his Chambers with Anne and Merlin behind them with the latter carrying the chicken.

——

Once at Arthur's Chambers, Amelia and Anne leave him in Merlin's charge. They don't go far before there's another emergency meeting in Gaius' Chambers.

Gaius inspects the lock of hair that Arthur found under his pillow.

"I knew something wasn't right," Merlin mutters.

"Arthur's enchanted," Gaius concludes.

"I should have realised he had magic. No one can make butterflies appear from thin air." Merlin says as he paces.

"Trickler?!" Amelia exclaims. Of course. How could she not realise?!

"Why would he want Arthur to fall in love with Vivian?" Merlin wonders, stopping in his movements.

"An advance by Arthur would be a sure-fire way to ruin the peace conference. Maybe Alined wants war." Gaius realises.

"Without creating it himself." Anne finishes with a wide eyed look on her face.

"It's the sort of cowardly behaviour you would expect from him. Cowardly, but clever." Gaius contemplates.

"We need to find a way of turning Arthur back to normal." Merlin declares.

"Before it's too late."

Amelia wrinkles her nose. "That means more reading of those old books doesn't it."

——

Amelia and Anne have other things they need to do and can't help with all of the research.

Amelia doesn't realise that an enchanted Arthur is the least of their worries until she collides with a gleeful Vivian, dressed in her nightgown, singing about how in love she is and running off in the direction of Arthur's Chambers.

Oh no.

She catches up with Vivian as she pushes into Arthur's Chambers and slams her hand on the door to stop Merlin from shutting it in her face.

"We've got—"

"I know."

The two of them rush to stand in front of Vivian to stop her from searching for Arthur.

"Where is he?" The woman questions.

"He's not here Vivian. Why don't we leave?" Amelia desperately urges. This is bad. Very bad.

"Then I shall wait." Vivian declares walking past them. Amelia now notices that Vivian is carrying a rose. Really?

"I don't think that's a good idea. You..." Merlin adverts his eyes. Amelia rolls her eyes. "You're not even dressed."

"My love does not care what I wear, only that I am near. Now fetch him." Vivian orders.

"I cannot." Comes Merlin's response.

"You will."

"Shan't."

"As he commands you, I command you!"

"Please Vivian, we ask you to leave," Amelia begs.

Vivian turns away from them. "I want my love. I need my love. I want to see him now." She climbs onto Arthur's bed, smells his pillow, and buries her face in his sheets.

Vivian then begins arranging herself on Arthur's bed. A distant shout is heard and Amelia and Merlin's heads snap towards the sound.

"What's that?" Merlin peeks out into the corridor. "Oh, no." Merlin looks the other way. "Oh, no!" Merlin ducks back inside and runs to Vivian. Obviously, someone is coming and they need to do something now.

"Right." Amelia claps her hands together. "You," she points at Vivian, "out." She points her thumb towards the other door.

Vivian gets on her knees. "You cannot keep us apart. It's written in the stars. Vivian and Arthur. A love for all time. A love stronger than time. A love..." she's stretching out her arms as she talks.

"Swefe nu!" Merlin throws out his hand and Vivian is knocked out. Well, that is a relief.

"Okay you get her arms, I'll get her legs," Amelia tells Merlin. He hurriedly nods and they drag Vivian towards the wardrobe. Arthur enters just as Merlin and Amelia close the doors, trying to hide the effort of lifting a full grown woman.

"Why are you hanging around like a bad smell? It's me who needs to bathe." He throws his belt at Merlin and takes off his jacket. "I'm not going to win my love stinking like an old kipper."

"No, My Lord," Merlin responds.

"Where is he?!" Amelia hears King Olaf shouts just before he enters and storms over to them. "I know she's in here, Arthur! Hand her over! Or feel my wrath!"

"What's he talking about?" Arthur asks. Merlin shakes his head and Amelia shrugs.

"She wasn't even dressed." Trickled adds. Amelia glares at him.

"If I have dishonoured you in some way, then, by all means, provide me with proof and I'll face the consequences." Amelia is amazed by how normal Arthur is behaving.

"Trickler here has told me that the Lady Vivian is in your Chambers," Olaf explains.

"If only that were true." Olaf grabs the front of Arthur's shirt with both hands. Yeah, scratch that.

"If only that were true you would not look so foolish." Merlin quickly smooths over. Olaf lets Arthur go.

"Search the room!" Olaf orders. "You better hope I don't find her." This father is a bit overdramatic.

"Behæpse fæst." Amelia hears Merlin chant and then the wardrobe door locking.

Amelia sees Trickler spot her and Merlin by the wardrobe. She tries to act calm as he goes to it looking smug and tries to open it but it doesn't budge.

"That hasn't opened in years," Merlin tells him. Trickler looks irritated.

Olaf then grabs Trickler when his Guards haven't found anything. "You buffoon! You made an idiot out of me!" He shoves Trickler who scurries out of the room. Olaf turns to Arthur. "I am, er, so terribly sorry, Arthur, to have disturbed you. I... I do hope that you will forgive me." Arthur waves at the apology. "Check on the Lady Vivian! And remain outside her room!" Olaf and the Guards exit.

Arthur begins walking to the screen in his room. "If only the Lady Vivian were in my room..."

Amelia doesn't hear the rest as she and Merlin quickly transfer Vivian back to her Guest Chambers.

——

Merlin snaps a book shut. "That's it! I've got it!" He cries to Gaius, Amelia and Anne.

"Are you sure? You're not going to turn Arthur into a hunchback camel or a horny-eyed toad?" Gaius asks.

"I'll, er, save that for another day." Merlin rushes out. Amelia looks at Anne and an agreement passes between them and they go after him. Amelia isn't going to miss this!

They search the palace. They poke their heads into Arthur's Chambers.

"Arthur? Arthur!" Amelia calls but no one is there.

They continue searching and eventually find Arthur when they burst into Vivian's Chambers to find the two kissing each other furiously on Vivian's bed. Amelia scrunches her nose up in disgust. It isn't just the way they are kissing but the fact that she sees Arthur as her brother and doesn't like seeing him in this compromising position.

"Come on Merlin." Amelia urges. What she lacks in future knowledge, she can make up with moral support.

"Abuge áglǽccræft." Merlin chants but nothing happens.

"Try again," Anne tells him.

He tries again, "Abuge áglǽccræft." Nothing happens. "Abuge áglǽccræft." Again nothing happens.

By this point, it's too late and Olaf storms in followed by Alined, Uther, and Trickler. This causes the two "lovers" to break apart and for Amelia, Anne and Merlin to step aside.

"I knew it!" Olaf exclaims.

"I don't believe it," Merlin mutters. Amelia can't believe it herself. What are they going to do now?

"Father! We've got something to tell you." Vivian says excitedly.

"Arthur!" Uther cries.

Olaf throws his glove at the foot of the bed.

"Father!" Vivian exclaims exasperatedly.

"You once said that if you ever truly offended my honour, then you would happily pay the price." Olaf declares. "What say you now, Prince Arthur?"

Arthur gets off the bed, pulling Vivian along with her hand. "How have I offended your honour? Surely not with my love alone?!"

"Love?!" Olaf yells. "You don't know the first thing about love! You're taking advantage of an innocent girl!" Kind of his fault.

"Father." Amelia pulls a face at her tone.

"Arthur!" Uther tries to intervene.

"I assure you, my feelings for your daughter are as real as they are strong." Arthur insists.

"Unhand her, or suffer the consequences." Olaf threatens. Arthur clings to Vivian even more. "Is this really worth risking your life for?"

"Arthur?" Vivian looks up at him.

"Indeed, it is. I would rather die than deny my feelings. I love your daughter with all my heart." Arthur kisses Vivian and picks up the glove. Great. Just great.

——

"I don't understand it. Trickler's magic is strong, but surely it can't be stronger than mine?" Merlin contemplates as he leans on the table where Gaius is preparing his medicine for the fight. Amelia and Anne loiter around the room.

"These love potions are strange things." Gaius points out.

"We need to go to Uther." Merlin decides.

Amelia snorts. "Yeah, that'll help."

"She's right, we can't." Gaius agrees.

"Merlin is right, it's a fight to the death! We need to do something!" Anne argues.

"If Uther realises that one of the Kings is using magic, there will certainly be a war." Gaius counters. "The only way out of this situation is to unenchant Arthur. And unenchant him fast."

——

Amelia sits in between Morgana and Vivian in the Tournament Grounds while Anne and Merlin stand in the crowd on the other side.

As her father and "lover" come into the grounds with their quarterstaffs, Vivian grabs Amelia's arm excitedly.

"Isn't this exciting!" She squeals into Amelia's ear.

Amelia cringes in pain and awkwardly pulls her arm away. "Sure."

Uther stands. "King Olaf has demanded recompense. And by the ancient laws of Camelot, the matter will be settled by a tourney with three stages. The weapons chosen are quarterstaff, mace, and sword. The fight will be by the Knights' Rules, and to the death. Are we all clear?"

Arthur starts out doing well despite constantly casting gazes to Vivian, but after jabbing Olaf in the stomach, Arthur stops to gaze at Vivian. Olaf takes Arthur out at the knees. Arthur falls on his back and Olaf tries to jab him but Arthur stops him with his own staff and fights back before getting up. Olaf later breaks Arthur's quarterstaff, catching Arthur in the ribs. Amelia winces but thankfully the timer has run out and it's the end of the first round.

——

Amelia spots Merlin and Anne following Arthur as he goes to his tent and she makes a hurried excuse before getting out of the stand to follow.

She steps into the tent to find Merlin and Anne standing in front of her. Both glance at her and she sees Gaius checking a smiling Arthur behind them.

"One of your ribs is broken, Sire," Gaius tells him.

"Nothing can hurt me today. I'm invincible." Arthur grabs Gaius' face, squishing his cheeks. "Love really can conquer all, Gaius. It's true."

Gaius quickly pulls away and goes over to the three of them by the entrance. "This can't go on. The fight's not fair. Arthur's head's in the clouds." He whispers.

"I don't know what to do," Merlin whispers back.

"Then find someone who does."

Amelia pulls a face, she knows who they'll have to talk to. Kilgharrah has been getting on her nerves recently.

——

Kilgharrah laughs after they tell him the situation. "This is magic indeed."

"Everything I have tried has failed," Merlin tells him.

"From what you tell me, the spell has captured his heart," Kilgharrah replies.

"And his heart is controlling his brain."

"Basically he's acting like an idiot," Amelia remarks.

"Amelia." Anne chastises.

"What?" Amelia asks. Being with Kilgharrah is making her feel agitated.

"There is no magic that can break this enchantment," Kilgharrah tells them.

"That can't be true," Anne says.

"It has too great a hold."

"We cannot let Arthur die." Merlin insists.

"Patience, young Warlock." Kilgharrah calmly replies. "The solution lies in a force greater than you or I can understand, a force that has puzzled many minds..."

"Please, we have very little time."

"...a force..."

"Just tell us!" Amelia yells irritably.

Kilgharrah laughs some more. "Why, it is the greatest force of all: love."

"Love?" Merlin utters looking somewhat doubtful. Amelia sees Anne gazing at him looking hurt. She hopes Merlin will notice Anne one day.

"You must find the person Arthur truly loves."

"And then what happens?" Anne asks.

"One kiss from her will break the enchantment, and he will desire Vivian no more."

Merlin sighs, nods, and leaves in a hurry with Anne behind him.

Amelia turns to follow but Kilgharrah calls out to her. "I haven't seen you in a while, young one."

"I don't like your recent behaviour." Amelia shortly replies.

"You're at a dangerous point." Comes the response.

Amelia rolls her eyes. "So you've said before. Can't you let me decide?"

"You can't change the future," Kilgharrah tells her.

"I can try." She snaps and runs after Anne and Merlin.

——

She catches up with them and the three of them burst into Gwen's house without knocking while she's staring out the window.

"Rats again, Merlin?" Gwen asks when they enter.

What? Amelia looks at the two next to her and sees Anne has the same confused look while Merlin powers on.

"What? No. No, erm... we, we need your help. Arthur needs your help."

"I do not think that Arthur needs me." Gwen huffs.

"Gwen, don't worry. We know." Anne tells her.

Gwen tries to act ignorant. "You know what?"

"Everything. Anyone who spends five minutes with you can see how you feel about each other. Look, we do not have a lot of time to explain, so you are gonna have to trust us. Arthur does love you." Merlin argues.

"No, he doesn't."

"If you don't trust us, trust your feelings." Amelia tries.

Gwen scoffs. "I'm never trusting my feelings again."

"He's enchanted!" Anne cries.

"Yes, with Lady Vivian! I can see that!" Gwen snaps back with equal volume.

"No, we mean literally! By magic, potions!" Amelia insists.

"She's right. None of his feelings are genuine!" Anne backs up.

Gwen's resolve seems to be weakening. "How can you be sure? When I saw him, his feelings seemed real enough."

"Gwen, none of his feelings for Vivian are real. But if you do not break the spell, his death will be. Search your heart. You know who he loves." Merlin urges her.

——

Amelia returns to the Tournament Grounds and sits back in between Morgana and Vivian.

"So what did I miss?" She casually asks the two women.

"Where have you been?!" Morgana exclaims.

"I'm here now," Amelia reassures her. "How's Arthur been?" She can imagine the answer.

"Oh god Amelia, he's not doing well I don't know what's happened to him!" Morgana cries fretfully.

"He's so gallant!" Vivian sighs dreamily.

Amelia sees Arthur approach the arena with Merlin. When she spots Arthur staring at Gwen, who is climbing into the stands, instead of Vivian, Amelia sighs with relief. Finally, Arthur has his head on his shoulders.

Arthur and Olaf begin to fight and already Amelia can see the improvement. Arthur cringes in pain but pushes past it to continue. Eventually, Olaf knocks Arthur to the ground and tries to strike but Arthur repeatedly rolls out the way. Arthur then flips Olaf, disarming him. Arthur stands above him, poised to strike, but then lowers his sword.

"This is no way to achieve peace!" Arthur announces to the crowd. Arthur offers Olaf a hand to help him up. The crowd cheers while Amelia just slumps in her chair in relief.

——

A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[hitchell-mope]

Isn’t that Trickler from Merlin?

[vampyreblogger]

MERLIN SEXYMAN ROUND ONE

POLL A:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711982741124726784/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

aglain VS aggravaine VS alator VS albin VS alined VS alrick VS althild VS alvarr VS alynor VS anhora

WINNER: aglain

POLL B:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711983663172272128/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

aredian VS ari VS arthur pendragon VS asgerd VS VS aulfric VS balinor VS bayard VS bedivere VS beroun VS bertrand

WINNER: arthur pendragon

POLL C:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711984904182824960/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

bolg VS cador VS caerleon VS cedric VS cenred VS cerdan VS cylferth VS daegal VS dagr VS darien

WINNER: cenred

POLL D:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711985846428090369/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

devlin VS ebor VS edwin muirden VS eldred VS elyan VS eoghan VS ethan VS evan VS evoric VS ewan

WINNER: elyan

POLL E:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711986791996063744/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

fermin VS fyren VS gaius VS geldred VS geoffrey VS george VS geraint VS gilli VS godwyn VS gorlois

WINNER: gaius and geraint (tie)

POLL F:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711990638031372288/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

gregory VS grettir VS gwaine VS halig VS helios VS hengist VS iseldir VS jarl VS john howden VS jonas

WINNER: gwaine

POLL G:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711991302511837184/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

joseph VS julius borden VS kanen VS kelda VS kendrick VS kilgharrah VS king olaf VS knights of medhir VS lancelot VS leon

WINNER: lancelot

POLL H:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711992078749581312/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

lochru VS lot VS matthew VS merlin VS montague VS mordred VS morris VS myror VS nollar VS odin

WINNER: merlin

POLL I:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711993086897750016/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

olwin VS osgar VS oswald VS owain VS pellinor VS percival VS radnor VS ragnor VS robert VS rodor

WINNER: percival

POLL J:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711993808358883328/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

ruadan VS sarrum VS sentry VS sindri VS sir william of deira VS taliesin VS tauran VS terrence VS thomas collins VS tindr

WINNER: sir william of deira

POLL K:

https://www.tumblr.com/oops-spaghetti-hoops/711994516175044608/merlin-sexypeople-polls-masterpost

tom VS trickler VS tristan VS tristan de bois VS tyr seward VS uther pendragon VS valiant VS william

WINNER: uther pendragon

[emrysofealdor]

[thatgaywizardoverthere]

One of the things about BBC Merlin that makes me lose my entire mind every time I see it is how Uther goes rabid every time someone is even remotely accused of sorcery but then Trickler fucking strolls right into Uther’s castle doing “tricks” that highly resemble magic (because they are *cough cough*) and Uther is just like “this performance is fucking LIT bro, make some more butterflies appear out of your asshole by means that definitely aren’t magic!” Like Uther why are you like this??? I am feral.

[murasakikagekitsune]

Trickler vs. Merlin: Why was Trickler able to defeat Merlin?

Disclaimer: This meta is based on my own headcannons of Merlin, so this is my opinion, and that means it does not have to be taken as fact.

I believe there are 2 reasons as to why Merlin was not able to defeat this adversary; reasons that are linked with one another, even though they can be considered separately. These are:

Trickler uses a different kind of magic to perform the love potion, one that Merlin is not used to.-Trickler’s magic resembles the old Irish magic used by the Sidhe, the fae. He says something that sounds like Lugh’s name when lighting the candle when he begins to prepare the love potion. Lugh is the Irish equivalent of Loki. He is a trickster deity, skilled in many arts, and has an association with fire. This is an important fact to remember when considering Trickler was lighting a candle-he is essentially invoking Lugh’s name and power to carry out a ritual that He has a direct connection to; a candle is a source of light that is created by a small light. That would explain why Merlin’s original spell didn’t work; his spell was simply not compatible with the one Trickler used because it was a distinctly different kind of magic than his. In addition, fae magic is far more ancient and therefore stronger than the standard warlock’s magic because the fae have been around for an extremely long time – it is the magic embedded in nature. It can’t be bypassed by your standard spell because it is far more advanced than the basic magic all sorcerers use. Trickler’s character portrayal as Lugh or Loki is further affirmed by his role as an unassuming jester at court (a jester is a textbook part of a trickster’s personality) and several lines alluding to Norse mythology in the episode.

“… My head, it is my prettiest feature.” (Loki’s thoughts to potentially losing his head at the hands of the dwarves after the bet.)

“And if I choose this one and it’s wrong, Vivian will lose all her hair.” (Vivian is Sif -Sif loses all her hair because of Loki’s jealousy.)

“You know, another meaning of the word jester is” (whispers) “keeper of secrets.” ( Using another one of Loki’s kennings.)

Merlin’s lack of knowledge is caused by the fact that his magic is instinctual, as opposed to studied academically. In other words, he is used to putting virtually no effort into performing a spell, his magic is always in survival mode, as it were. When he has to put thought into learning a spell of his own volition without the danger attached, it does not work. The flaw of Merlin’s reliance on instinctual magic is seen in the Valiant episode -when he has to practice a kind of magic does not know, it takes him several attempts to master the spell. His magic is so powerful that does not know how to properly focus his magic and learn a spell. Think of people relearning to walk after an accident-able bodied people always take basic things such as walking for granted. Those who have suffered an accident have to actually think about what each muscle does. In this regard, Trickler is a better sorcerer because he has intimate knowledge of how his magic works, rather than Merlin who can grasp instinctual concepts behind each spell, but has no academically based knowledge of what each incantation actually does.

[merlinpetpeeves]

[gilmores-glorious-blog]

some highlights of my friends and i binging merlin tonight:

“trickler you homosexual son of a bitch.”

“watching this show as an arthur apologist is a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

“my two notes for merlin 2 electric boogaloo: gay sex and merlin going batshit.”

“HE [merlin] IS IN THE CLOSET HE’S IN THE CLOSET HE’S IN THE CLOSET HE’S-“

“i love men.”

“fuck, marry, kill: kilgharrah, the troll, or the goblin.”

*me about arthur* “i could fix him.”