tansyuduri

[tansyuduri]

MERTHUR WEEK 2020 Day 6: Favorite BAMF Merlin or Arthur moment

[tansyuduri]

Fem Gwaine (Gwanwyn) from my AU!! I love her... Sword-wielding hottie at the tavern, take me

[tansyuduri]

I knew I was right about the gollum yay!

I do have a question. If its so special merlin could summon a boat from the ether how did gaius get a boat? did he just use merlins? BUT the idea that Merlin can just summon thigns from either explains why some powerful magic users don't fight back in certain ways in certain scenes!

Title: Merlin summoned a boat from the ether at the Isle of the Blessed (something no sorcerer could do… not even Nimueh)

Episode: "The Mark of Nimueh" questions #2

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: The Mark of Nimueh, Potion and Poisons, and The Death of Arthur

Question:

I think the Afanc might be based partially on the folklore for the creature, but also it has a bit of the Jewish Gollum in it with the whole born of clay thing?

My answer: I think you’re not only right, but the book actually mentions it being a form of Golem.

The word “Golem” is used to describe the Afanc as its being molded in the clay twice (on two separate pages).

Book description:

She undid a tiny clasp, and the egg separated into two. Carefully she placed the golem into the tiny space and fastened it once more.

- The light shone still brighter, so intensely that both the eggshell and the effigy within it became almost translucent.

The golem's features had developed further, and she could even make out the very beginnings of bone and muscle.

Question: In this episode Uther was using a candle to mark time? 🕯️

My answer: Yup. Uther stared at the dancing flame of a solitary candle and used the marks etched into it to count down the hours till Gwen's death.

That was the way they told time while indoors and from what I read online, it seems to be an accurate way to measure.

Book description:

Uther was lost in thought as he stood alone in the council chamber, staring vacantly at the dancing flame of a solitary candle.

There were marks etched into the stem at regular intervals, which seemed to be counting down the hours till Gwen's death.

- 'Father?' Arthur's voice was soft, respectful.

Uther barely noted his presence. He was still contemplating the candle, the flame having recovered, burning as brightly as ever.

Question: Gaius: “The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process.”

Supposedly the elements Water, Fire, Earth, and Air were viewed as the building blocks of the world?

Originaly air was viewed as “Aether” and but in the Merlin world it seems to be air .. or as it's later called wind. (Aether later came to represent heaven or the spirit as a 5th element)

My answer: Ok. So this question is actually really interesting to delve into and explore.

Not so much because of the basic elements themselves, but because of what Aether (or rather “ether” in the Merlin world) comes in to play and what it represents.

In “The Death of Arthur” book, Merlin notices a small boat that appears out of nowhere to take him to the Isle of the Blessed and he is understandably confused because no one to his knowledge… not even Nimueh, can make things materialize out of the ether.

“Ether” in the Merlin world seems to mean to create something entirely new, out of nothing.

Not summoning it from elsewhere (like Valiants Balor forest snakes) 🐍 and not using an object to magically transform it into something else (like the statue dog), but rather creating the object out of absolutely nothing.

Merlin’s magical forces that he used to harness the shield that saved him from the Great Dragons flames, dissipated into the ether when he was done with them and that display of power left the dragon completely taken aback at its failure to kill him.

Merlin often doesn’t realize the extent of his powers, so he attributes the boat to the ‘power of the ancients’ and the magic of the Isle of the Blessed.

However, it’s implied that Merlin himself conjured the boat without realizing it.

Much like he later went on to do when he brought Gaius back to life without using the Cup of Life and that was something even thousands of sorcerers couldn’t do without joining together to make the Cup of Life in the first place.

Book description:

"Well, most of them,' said Gaius. 'The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process.'

'Base elements?' echoed Merlin blankly.

"Yes - earth, fire, wind and water.'

- He turned round and gaped in astonishment.

There, next to the jetty, was the tiny vessel.

Exactly as it had appeared when he'd first come to the isle. But where could it have come from?

He knew of no sorcerer - not even Nimuch - who could conjure such an object from the ether.

- Suddenly the inferno ceased and with its fury all but vented, the Dragon crouched back on the rocks, exhausted from its efforts. It said nothing, as if completely taken aback at its failure to kill him.

Merlin slowly lowered his hand and the forces he'd summoned dissipated into the ether. He fixed the Dragon with a lethal stare, poured venom into his every word. "You won't see me again!

Question:

Other creatures created by sorcery do not need to be killed by any specific element. This leads to the idea that this is kinda a rare thing?

My answer: Other magical creatures are also not comprised of only two elements (in this case earth and water).

Therefore, the other magical creatures can be killed with magic and spells. 🪄

The Afanc can’t be killed with any known spell or magical weapon (which is why Gaius could not find reference to it in any of his books).

Book description:

Merlin turned away from the books. That reminded him of something. But what?

Then he realized. 'Of course! The Afanc is a creature made from earth and water - that's two of the elements!'

- Well..? Gaius thought for a second.

'That's earth and water. Maybe the other two elements would destroy it. Fire ... and wind, perhaps.

He looked at his protégé in amazement. 'How did you think of this?'

[tansyuduri]

no time spent writing fanfic is ever wasted

[tansyuduri]

it’s a head cannon of mine that Merlin would develop grey hairs over the course of his time saving Arthur’s ass every other weekday. That boy literally had the weight of the word on his shoulders with barely anyone to help him shoulder that burden. My boy was getting some greys. BUT. Imagine Arthur notices this one day, perhaps the light catches it just right. That man would absolutely go to pieces. He would try to stay calm on the outside and just be like “what the hell is that, Merlin?”, but internally he is doing backflips trying to piece together what is making Merlin grow greys. Ultimately Merlin just blows it off as genetics, but Arthur doesn’t buy it for a second and slowly starts weening away Merlin’s more impractical chores (he may be an idiot sometimes, but he’s not that oblivious).

[tansyuduri]

I love all the arthur meets little/deaged merlin crack fics, because its always so fluffy and cute and arthur gets to learn more about merlin, and also see the impact of the magic ban and it speeds up his development and arc (because the show kept fucking resetting it!).

But I do feel that these fics have a tendency to ignore one crucial fact.

Merlin WOULD NOT like the knights immediately.

As long as he's old enough to walk, talk, and understand shit, my man would be BOLTING at the sight of those camelot capes. Like these were the knights of CAMELOT. He is a child with MAGIC. He is not sticking around long enough to let them get close to him.

Plus it gives rise to this:

Arthur: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST HIM?!

Leon: Uh. He bit Gwaine and ran. -Sire.

[tansyuduri]

For when stabbing someone doesn’t have enough erotic subtext…

Patreon - everything else

[tansyuduri]

[tansyuduri]

unpopular opinion: early season 5 mordred is the best of the round table knights

strongly agree | agree | neutral | disagree | strongly disagree Of first of all this is either @saurix5 or if not you should totally go read her Mordred fanfic called "Stronger Than Destiny"

I would have to ask what is meant by best.

In terms of fighting skill he's still learning at that age. I would go out on a limb and say the best is Gwaine or Lancelot based on that one deleted scene.

If we're talking loyalty I don't think you can beat Leon/Lancelot.

If we're talking looks, I am COMPLETLY unqualified to judge. He is likely the smartest and for sure the most Poetic! You probably mean best in some obscure way that it is not quantified by the standards I just listed and my approach of pure logic. Thus I cannot tell you if you are right or wrong and will go with neutral. (Did I mention I am hella Autistic. I feel like that is relevant.)

[tansyuduri]

Sir Leon bearing his Coat of Arms (BBC Merlin 2x02)

[tansyuduri]

Would especially love Merlin related ones!!!

SEND ME UNPOPULAR/POPULAR OPINIONS

and I’ll tell you:

strongly agree | agree | neutral | disagree | strongly disagree

[tansyuduri]

'treason is merlin's middle name'

Incorrect. Merlin does not have enough legal documentation to have an official legal middle name. He makes up a new one every time he speaks and if Arthur ever questions it, he will pull out forgery.

[tansyuduri]

One of my favorite things in Merlin is how you can clearly see Bradley James getting sword fighting training and improving at it as time goes on. Like, season 1, all Arthur sword fights are Duels With Helmets and minimal closeups, and then by the end of the show he's doing these choreographed long takes that look effortless. I just love seeing the progression.

[tansyuduri]

Screencap redraw or something

[tansyuduri]

An experimental gif.

Software by Photoshop and Final cut pro.

[tansyuduri]

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I've been reading your work lately, and I really love it.

They manage to bring tears and laughter to my eyes at the right times. Really cute when they're right and they're definitely my shot of happiness for the day.

So, I don't know, but I got to thinking, because I think you might be one of the people who can elaborate more on the idea I had in mind.

Idea:

Basically… Mordred meets Merlin before canon - Mordred for this story is younger, almost 3 years old -, and decides to simply self-adopt. Because he's a determined toodler.

Only because the druids who were taking care of him, after telling him high praises about Emrys and such, fell asleep. Leaving a little baby Modred completely fascinated and literally wishing to always be with Emrys.

That, without counting that he had heard from other druids that the boy Merlin of Camelot was the young man of the prophecies.

It wasn't much science, he put the pieces together and knew where he had to go… he just had to close his eyes, the magic basically spat him out in the castle courtyard.

Literally.

One day, out of nowhere, he came out from somewhere in the castle with his sleeping blanket, he kindly asked one of the servants to take him to his father Merlin, and he didn't stop insisting until someone took him to Merlin. Who was attending to Arthur.

Merlin, who literally doesn't know when he had a child, because he definitely knows that he was never with anyone, but that child looks so determined that he even begins to doubt his virginity.

"Can babies be created by magic? Gaius!!! Stop laughing at that!!"

The fact that Mordred is a half-breed version of Merlin physically speaking doesn't help much either. Everyone in the castle really takes it as a reality, even more so after the innkeeper came to the castle to collect some bills and publicly said that Merlin had never set foot in his establishment.

He was even surprised to see him saying that he had never seen him in his life.

So, that confession, the physical resemblance and a completely determined baby were enough for everyone in the palace, including Uther, to put two and two together and create the crazy idea that Merlin's escapades were to be with the baby's mother.

Now Merlin, who doesn't know when, finds himself in the need to take care of a baby who is his complete shadow. Who looks at him with such adoration that he follows him everywhere, and it seems that he has magic because strange things happen when Mordred is around.

I love the image of little baby Mordred deciding that he's Merlin's son now and no one can stop him! This prompt has a lot of crack humor energy, but what might make it angsty was if Mordred, after being accepted as Merlin's son for several years, suddenly had his magic revealed. Now Arthur is faced with the decision between his father's laws or his best friend's son, and that would force Arthur to think critically and ask "wait, if no one taught him magic (because who on earth be stupid enough to do that in Camelot?), then how can this little boy do magic?" This could lead to Arthur realizing that magic isn't always a choice, forcing him to reevaluate the magic ban.

I also absolutely loved Merlin's own doubt of "well maybe he is my son, I have no clue how my own magic works!" 🤣

[tansyuduri]

Imagine if merlin just shows up in the middle of the prayer like he's spawning out of nowhere scaring the shit out of Arthur and Mordred. Anyway, can't wait to read part 3! Loves and goodbyes ❤️❤️❤️

Aww, thank you so much! I can 100% imagine Mordred and Arthur praying, and in the middle of it, Merlin shows up with his magic crackling with power around him, his voice booming in his dragonlord voice yelling "Who dares summon Emrys- oh wait it's just you."

Arthur's just staring at him in disbelief while Mordred gives him some pastries as an offering.

Maybe Mordred would gaslight Arthur on Merlin's behalf later when Arthur commented on how Emrys very obviously looked exactly like Merlin. Mordred would blink innocently and ask "You mean he looked like Merlin to you? Emrys is known to take on the form of whoever you think of the most, so that's no surprise that your mind saw him as Merlin." And Arthur's just left as a blushing mess after that explanation lol!