#and lancelot leaving without telling her. making the decision for her. even though she was pretty clear about her feelings towards him

[discount-shades]

Sleepy Baby Part 12

a/n: This will make more sense if you have seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin X reader

Warnings: None, back to fluff

Word Count: 1400 ish

Summary: Jake is Lancelot and Kisses is Guinevere

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When Jake had said he only had twenty six months left in San Diego you saw two options, either end it then and there or go all in. The prospect of living the rest of your life without Jake was unimaginable so it had been an easy decision to bet it all. Even though neither of you are behaving differently everything feels like it has shifted. 

Knowing that what you were feeling was real and had a future made everything seem easier. You had a goal. You and Jake were building a future together. While the relationship had started as a happy accident and a fun way to get back out there emotionally, it was now the foundation to your future. 

True to his word Jake had become one of Grace’s biggest supporters, always encouraging you to spend time with her and the small group of friends you began to develop. When you brought it up to him he admitted that your not quite hypothetical future marriage was one of his reasons. 

“When I’m deployed you need people in your life you can turn to.”  He explained. “Any of my Navy buddies like Javy will help if they can, but you’re right, they would be helping you for me and it won’t be the same support system.”

You still saw the Dagger Squad often and that is how you ended up back at the Hard Deck clustered around the pool table at the back. Jake was playing and easily beating everyone. He finally beats Phoenix and casually walks over to you. 

“You’re my good luck charm,” he throws his arm around you as you sit perched on a stool. You roll your eyes and grin up at him as he kisses you on your lips. 

“I don’t believe that for a second,” you tell him. “At the risk of overinflating your ego, I have it on good authority that it's a game of skill.”

“No, it’s my love for you that lets me win,” he says with a false sense of confidence. “And to prove my love to you I shall beat Rooster next.” You glance over at Bradley and see him racking up the balls for the next game.

“Jake, you would win even if I wasn’t here,” you tell him. “If you love me you’ll lose.” You gaze at Jake with a forced innocent expression that is hard to maintain at the look on his face. 

“No,” Jake's small response is confused and offended. 

“It’s Arthurian Jake,” you say dramatically, “Guinevere asked Sir Lancelot to lose at a tournament to prove his love. Your pool cue will be your lance.”

“You’re Lancelot-ing me?” he says in disbelief. “If I am Lancelot and you are Guinevere our love is doomed and I don’t like that ending.” He is standing between your spread legs and his hands slide to your hips pulling you closer. 

“We can rewrite that part.” you tell him with a kiss. “Now go out and lose for me, Sir Lancelot.”

He sighs in resignation, “is this what you really want my Queen Guinevere?”

“Sure is,” you grin mischievously. “But you can’t make it obvious you are losing on purpose.” 

“Hangman, leave your girl alone and get over here and play some pool.” You peek over Jake's shoulder at Bradley’s words before turning back to Jake with a grin and raise your eyebrows in challenge.

“The things I do for love,” Jake’s breath moves over your neck as he whispers in your ear and you burst out laughing. 

“No way,” Bradley calls out, pointing at you. “It’s like poker all over again. You are not allowed to talk to her while we are playing, and she is not allowed to talk to you.” 

“Can I at least cheer him on?” you say indignation in your voice.

“Fine,” Bradley agrees, “you can cheer him on and console him when I win.” Jake glares at Bradley but agrees with a huff and they begin to play.

Bob ends up sitting beside you watching. Jake is playing poorly. He is not missing really obvious shots but he is not playing to the same ability that he usually plays at, only sinking one or two balls per turn. “What did you say to him to throw him off?” Bob asks you in confusion. “He is usually way better than this.” 

“Uhhhhmmmm,” you tug on your hair. “I may or may not have told him to prove he loved me by losing.” you shoot a sheepish look at Bob. 

Bob snorts, “You ‘A Knight’s Tale-ed’ him? Come on, did you really need to do that to know he loves you?”

“No, I know he does, and I’m pretty sure it is originally Arthurian.” You pause your conversation with Bob to console Jake after a shot bounces off the edge of the pocket and rolls back across the table. 

“It’s OK, Babe, you nearly had it!” Jake glares at you with the tiniest hint of a grin on his face shaking his head and you smile back. 

“Then why did you ask him to lose?” Bob is looking back and forth between you and Jake. 

“I don’t know, I thought it would be funny,” you say with a grin at Bob. “Maybe it's a role play we like to do, you know, to spice things up in the bedroom.” 

“Ew,” Bob looks at you with a wrinkled nose. “I do not want to hear about yours and Hangman's sex life.”

You just laugh before looking at the table. The game is almost over. “Quick you have to go tell Jake to win!” You say shaking Bob’s arm. 

“Oh no,” he shakes his head, “I don’t want to be in the middle of whatever you two have going on!” 

“Please Bob,” you say desperately as Jake chalks the tip of his cue. He has four balls left and to win he would have to sink them all and then the 8 ball without missing any. “Bradley won’t let me talk to him. Please be my fair maid and tell my valiant knight that if he loves me he will win!”

Bob looks at you in disappointment before sighing and going over to Jake mumbling, “I’m going to regret this.”

You watch eagerly as Bob walks over to talk quietly to Jake with a pained expression on his face and grin impishly when Jake jerks his head up to glare at you at Bob's words. Bob slinks back to your side and hangs his head in defeat. “I can’t believe I did that for you.” He shudders, “I feel dirty.”

“Cheer up Bob,” you nudge him with your shoulder. “I was joking about it being a sex thing.”

“That does make me feel a little better.” You watch Jake sink his final 4 balls with an intense look on his face.

“It wasn’t about sex when I said it originally, but that could change,” you eye Jake’s hungry look with a grin as he stalks over to you after sinking the 8 ball and winning the game. 

“My Queen,” he says and pulls you to your feet before dipping you dramatically and kissing you. 

“My Valiant Knight you have proven your love,” you run your fingers through his hair smiling and pull his lips back to you yours. You can hear Bradley arguing with Bob in the background over what he said to Jake.

Jake hums happily into your kiss before standing both of you back up. “I am your King,” he corrects before giving you another kiss.

“Well I didn’t vote for you.” Your attempt at a British accent is terrible.

Jake looks at you frowning. “I was rewriting us a happier ending.”

“Oh,” you say in realization, laughing and continuing to talk in the terrible accent, “oh King eh, very nice.”

You yelp and jump closer as Jake smacks your ass, “you’re a brat.”

“If you are spanking me that makes you Galahad and you are in terrible peril.” 

Jake pulls you in close and you slide your hands up his chest and loop them around his neck so you are pressed against his hard body. “I’ll have to face my peril,” his words are spoken between heated kisses. 

“You’re sure it's not too perilous?” you ask, grinning into his lips.

Jake drags his lips down your neck placing soft kisses as he goes. “It’s my duty to sample the peril.” 

“Please go home.” Bob is still sitting in his chair next to your vacated one. Jake laughs and pulls you to the bar to pay the tab.

#jake seresin #jake hangman seresin #jake hangman x reader #jake seresin/reader #jake seresin x reader #hangman #hangman/reader #top gun hangman #topgun #topgun maverick #hangman topgun #topgun hangman

[blackthornv]

TWP: my arthurian headcanon pt.4

Oh, please, we all knew it would come to this, there's no mystery here. Also i don't know a lot about this arthurian character so i'll just go with the basic stuff.

Tiberius Nero Blackthorn, fifth of the Seven Blackthorn Siblings: there's just no way he wouldn't be Merlin. It's impossible to not make comparisons between both these characters intellect. Merlin is one of the greatest warlocks in the history of literature, with immense power and wisdom. He is mostly represented as a mentor to many of the others characters in the Matter of Britain such as Morgana Le Fey, the Lady of the Lake, Lancelot and King Arthur (ah yes, our Arthur).

Ty was introduced to us as an erudite and later on he went pursuing his dreams to be a (sort of) investigator in Scholomance - the most refined manner of education Shadowhunters allow in their midst. (Let's get it out of the way: Ty is the greatest student in the history of Scholomance. Source? I don't need one. Shut up.)

He also has began his introduction to (forbidden) magic in QoAaD and we can tell by Livvy's PoV that he - they - are exploring the magic that remained after his attempt at necromancy. I might be biased (and so what if i am?) but he does always find a solution to the problems he faces (even death lol) and so far things are going alright for him except for... the poorly acknowledged matters of his heart.

Okay, maybe to say he doesn't acknowledge his feelings is a bit harsh, but he certainly doesn't let himself process it. I do believe that some of the fault here is at his older siblings and parents. I understand that they did the best they could for him without actually understanding why they always thought Ty to be sensible, it's just i can't help to feel like the excessive coddling might have done him harm when it comes to get in touch with both his and other people's feelings. For all my previous thoughts on how Ty might be depriving Livvy from her freedom by keeping her around even though she clearly doesn't belong anymore, i believe Livvy held him back in the past.

All that to say: Merlin's ending is usually marked by his death/entrapment after he falls madly in love (let's ignore that he fell for the Lady of the Lake). The intensity of his feelings ended up making him careless in his approach and blinded to anything else. As a result of that, he was trapped in a lake - condemned to drown perpetually with his feelings.

Ty wronged Kit. I understand how they were both coming from difficult moments and how delicate the situation was but i still think Kit was right in all the decisions he made to keep a distance between himself and Ty.

Ty knows a lot but he will not learn how to deal with his feelings by staying locked away in the Institute or pretending to move on at Scholomance. He didn't allow himself to go through his grief when his twin died, when Kit was there offering comfort, companionship and love - but now Kit is gone and in this scenario he has removed himself from the equation is a much more drastic way than Livvy because he chose to leave. He doesn't give Ty any other option than to feel the ache of his broken heart - of their broken hearts - created by this oppressive absence.

In the end, his twin hovers above his shoulder as a ghost but it is Kit who haunts him.

#ty blackthorn #kit herondale #livvy blackthorn #twp #the wicked powers

[thenerdyindividual]

I see a lot of people get annoyed by Merlin’s actions in Lancelot Du Lac, but most of that irritation is based on a misremembering of the episode. (Which considering I have watched this show 3.5 times in just the last year or so is saying more about me than the people who misremember).

Point is, the two big talking points seem to be “why did Merlin and Gaius not tell Arthur and Gwen about the bracelet?” and “Why did Merlin not tell Arthur about Lancelot being a shade?”

To answer the bracelet question, they didn’t tell him because they didn’t know either. They had a feeling something strange was afoot which is why they bothered to check if Lancelot was really himself and learned about him being a shade. However, if you track the progression of the bracelet itself through the episode, only Morgana and the shade know what it does. The shade gives it to Gwen, and she wears it for the remainder of the episode but no one notices the new piece of jewelry in all the chaos of Lancelot’s return and the impending wedding. Then, at the end of the episode, Gwen rips the bracelet off and throws it into the corner of her dungeon cell. No one is shown picking it up, and Gaius and Merlin never interact with the bracelet. They have no idea that was the cause of Gwen’s behavior. Hence they have nothing to tell Arthur.

As far as why Merlin didn’t say anything about the shade, I think there’s a few different reasons about this. Previously, when Merlin had tried to warn Arthur of magical threats, Arthur wouldn’t believe him without proof; ie Cedric and Cornelius Sigan, Valiant’s Shield, Troll Catrina, Goblin Gaius*, etc. This contrasts Arthur to Uther nicely because it shows Arthur’s willingness to wait and think before potentially condemning innocent people, but I digress. Merlin gained proof of Lancelot being a shade because of his magic. To give Arthur proof that Lancelot was not himself, that would have involved casting the spell in front of Arthur. Morgana was clever to use Lancelot, because he’d already had a history of being in love with Gwen. While previously he had bowed out to allow Gwen and Arthur to be in love, this is coming on the heels of his death in The Darkest Hour Part 2. Any strange behavior from him can be written off as the effects of a near death experience, similarly his near death experience would explain why he was no longer content to sit on the sidelines instead of moving on the woman he loved. Therefore, though Lancelot acts strangely enough to alert Merlin, he doesn’t send up any red flags for the rest, leaving Merlin having to prove Lancelot is a shade, which again he can’t do without telling Arthur the truth about his own magic.

The second reason would be that even if Merlin could get Arthur to believe him without proof, it wouldn’t have mattered and might have made it worse. There is nothing to indicate that the shade had the power to enchant Gwen. In fact, if the shade alone had the power to enchant her, then Morgana would not have needed to enchant the bracelet. As no one else knows about the bracelet, Gwen still appears as though she is at fault for making this decision. Merlin understands that Morgana brought the shade forth to tug at Gwen’s heartstrings, but even from his perspective it seems as though Gwen allowed her heart strings to be tugged. Merlin clearly gives her the benefit of the doubt, as he is the only one to come see her off when she goes into exile. However, best case scenario even from Merlin’s perspective, Gwen was nervous about the wedding, overwhelmed by the emotions of the return of a man who’s death she felt responsible for, and made a heartbreaking miscalculation in judgement. Would telling Arthur that Lancelot wasn’t responsible for his own actions, but Gwen was responsible for her own actions really have helped the situation at all? If you answer yes, then that is something we’ll just have to agree to disagree on because I think it would have only damned Gwen further in Arthur’s eyes.

As it stands, Arthur also gives Gwen the benefit of the doubt even though he’s hurting. Despite Agravaine trying to set it up to seem as though Gwen and Lancelot have been having an affair since the moment Lancelot returned, Arthur offers up excuses for Gwen to take such as loving Lancelot all this time, and having doubts or nerves about the wedding. If Merlin had come clean about the shade (assuming he could do so without risking himself), I’m not sure how much leniency that would have granted Gwen.

Unfortunately, this is a case where Morgana’s plans succeeded.

*In the case of Goblin Gaius, Arthur can see for himself Gaius is acting strangely and seeks his own proof of Merlin’s accusations.

#bbc merlin #merlin meta #merlin bbc #arthur pendragon #guinevere pendragon #gwenthur #arwen #gwen merlin #bbc gwen #bbc guinevere #lancelot du lac #Merlin

[atlasshrugd]

lancelot leaving without telling gwen after he finds out arthur loves her too was not the right choice. he didn’t even give gwen the dignity or the respect to make her own decision, but made it for her. he must not value himself enough to think she would choose him over arthur, and was so honourable that he did not want to make her choose. but in doing that, he took away her choice—when earlier in that episode gwen had already kissed him and told him of her feelings. 

when lancelot guessed that arthur had feelings for gwen, merlin asked him if he had feelings for her. and lancelot says “my feelings do not matter. i will not come between them”— even though merlin said nothing about gwen reciprocating arthur’s feelings; even when gwen literally confessed her feelings to lancelot just earlier. he didn’t even give her the decision to say goodbye, but left her feeling abandoned (yes, he wanted to make it easier on her to go on without him—but this is just him taking away yet another decision she should have had the honour to make).

i feel like lancelot martyring himself and not considering gwen’s feelings/choices is not the noble move he thought it was.

(side note: lancelot said he wouldn’t come between them, but both arthur and gwen had already accepted they couldn’t be together. lancelot was really gwen’s best chance of love and happiness, and she was the love of his life.)

#ep: lancelot and guinevere #merlin #bbc merlin #lancelot x gwen #lancelot #mine #arthur pendragon #arwen #gwencelot

[isoldmysoultojonahclemence]

Clemence Father

JONAH’S ROUTE JUST CAME OUT ON IKEREV TW AND I’M ON PART 12 AND I RLLY WANNA CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM TO JONAH AND LUKA’S FATHER RN. I TALKED ABOUT HIM BEFORE ON LUKA’S EVER AFTER POST HERE BUT NOW IMMA TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN BC BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HE’S AN EVEN BIGGER ASSHOLE IN JONAH’S ROUTE.

BUT ANYWAYS HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED.

SPOILERS FOR JONAH’S EVER AFTER UNDER THE CUT

(ps the screenshots all have that orange recording button bc i want to look at them without having to go through the entire route again. sorry if they’re kinda annoying!)

Aight, so Jonah proposed to MC (well, he kinda just announced that MC is his fiancee from now on but whatever), and he decided to bring her to the Clemence house for this party to meet the family. Luka was there as well, standing in a corner. MC kinda wanted to join him in the corner as well, but Jonah dragged her off to meet his relatives. But they all seemed to dislike MC because she’s not from a good background.

Then, this dude enters the scene:

[Translation:

A dignified-looking man walked over here, looking at me, who is standing by Jonah, in surprise.]

And then, when Jonah goes to introduce MC as his fiancee, his father cuts him off by saying that he never heard of Jonah having a fiancee before. Like, Jonah was in the middle of a super serious and sincere introduction and his father just interrupted like that in a super cold voice. I was already starting to dislike him at this point, but I didn’t wanna fight him just yet.

Also, here’s something that kinda surprised me:

[Translation:

(His looks seemed to be similar to Luka’s, but his disposition...

(It seemed to be 50 times scarier than Jonah when I first met him...)]

I found it kinda weird how Luka actually took after him in terms of looks more than Jonah did??? Like, my original headcanon was that Luka didn’t actually look very similar to his father, which could be part of why he was ignored so much, but I guess he was ignored even when he looks like his father. Ouch.

Also, whenever the Clemence father makes an appearance, the thing that MC talks about the most is how scary/stern his disposition is. He must be someone really ruthless to warrant that kind of description.

After that, his father goes on to guess that Jonah had made the decision to bring MC without consulting anyone in his family because he knew that his decision would be opposed. I suppose that Jonah’s father does know him quite well, but it actually unsettles me more, because he seems to have no regard for the effect he has on his sons. Like, Jonah literally had to fight to keep his head up under such pressure.

So Jonah goes on to explain why he chose not to tell anyone about it, but his father interrupts him AGAIN with this huge speech about how the Clemence bloodline cannot be mixed with a bloodline of unknown origins. They have kept his tradition for hundreds of years, and that every single heir has accepted this fact and chose to marry someone of high social standing. 

Jonah, naturally, was pretty angry, and told his father that he has gone too far. But guess what? This dude ignores him YET AGAIN and tries to convince MC to marry Levie instead of Jonah. Seriously. No wonder Jonah never listens to anyone else if this was the role model he had. I’m really starting to grit my teeth at this point.

Also, something concerning is how Jonah’s father knew that Levie is after MC, since that was classified information. Jonah confronts him about him, but he brushes it off by saying that he was the former Queen of Hearts and he has all the information sources he need. I wonder how powerful he was when he was Queen if he was still so influential in his retirement. And yeah, he totally strikes me as the sort of guy who would order Claudius to assassinate people...

But anyways, Jonah’s father tells him that he’ll pretend as if he heard nothing and walks off, even though Jonah tried to tell him that he wasn’t finished yet. What a guy.

Jonah leaves MC with Luka and goes after his father. Luka takes MC to his room and tells her something really sweet. He tells her that to trust “that guy” (Jonah) and to wait for him, which really showed his reliance on his older brother. Like, even though he rejects Jonah a lot and avoids him, deep down inside he still believes in Jonah. 

And after a few parts we get a flashback where Jonah recalls the conversation he had with his father after he goes after him, and this is where my blood starts boiling.

So the Clemence father reminds Jonah, in a pretty harsh way, that when he had rejected marriage alliances in the past, he has always said that he’ll find someone better. He then goes on to call MC “that kind of person” (as in, a person of low birth and social standing), and Jonah gets pretty mad at him for that:

[Translation:

Jonah: Even if you’re my father, I cannot allow you to call her “that kind of person”...!

Clemence Patriarch: Don’t change the topic!

Hearing his father’s roar of fury, Jonah wasn’t scared in the slightest, and instead glared fierily back at him.]

I find it kinda interesting how the game refers to Jonah and Luka’s father as “the Clemence Patriarch” instead of “Clemence Father” or something. That would probably make more sense, because the term “Patriarch” can refer to a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, etc., not necessarily a father. But I guess this highlights how his identity as a patriarch is prioritized before his identity as a father.

And then this scene happens:

[Translation:

Clemence Patriarch: Whatever you say! There is nothing more to say, get out. 

Clemence Patriarch: In order to prevent the failure of the first, we still have a second.

Clemence Patriarch: I will disown you as my son, and make Luka the heir of the family, and then he’ll be the one to marry a high-born noble lady.]

DUDE WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

IT DOESN’T WORK LIKE THAT??????????? YOU CAN’T JUST DECIDE THAT YOUR SON IS A FAILURE WHEN HE DOES ONE (1) THING AGAINST YOUR WILL AND TOSS HIM OUT AND MAKE YOUR OTHER SON THE HEIR???????????????????

Honestly he makes Jonah and Luka sound so expendable, and that’s really not okay. They’re human beings, his own SONS, not an object to be thrown away when it served its use. Like, if I had any doubts about why Luka left his family before, this scene just explained everything. Who would want this guy as their parent????? 

And of course, as the best nii-sama in the world, Jonah caves.

[Translation:

Even though he wanted to follow through with his own ideals, he couldn’t let his important brother, Luka, be sacrificed.

Not only would Luka have to bear the burden as the heir, a burden that he has been bearing for many years, 

And he would marry some lady who he has never met before, this absolutely cannot happen!

Jonah: Just this one thing...please don’t do it.

Jonah could only bend to his father’s will.]

JONAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY POOR BBY LET ME GIVE YOU A HUG (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ

He’s literally in an impossible position right now. If he wants to marry the love of his life, he would have a sacrifice his precious brother, and if he wants to protect his brother, he would have to sacrifice his fiancee. If he wants to keep them both safe, then the only real solution would be to leave the Clemence family.

Come on, Cybird. Y’all made him turn against the Red Army in his original route and now you’re making him turn against his family now??? When will the torture for Jonah and his stans ever end??????????

And here’s a few other lines from the Clemence Patriarch to disgust you:

[Translation:

Clemence Patriach: I am a generous and maganimous person.

Clemence Patriach: As long as the Clemence bloodline is protected, I don’t care if the heir is you or Luka.]

......I literally have nothing else to say.

Istg this dude is the worst parent in the Red Army, and the Red Army is already brimming with awful parenting skills. Lancelot’s father pretty much neglected him and Edgar’s uncle straight-up abused him, but you could still tell that they cared about their sons in their own little twisted ways. Lancelot’s father eqipped him with all the skills he would need to be King, and Claudius took all responsibility for the Bright family business in the end, protecting Edgar. And then we have the Clemence father who’s all like: i MaDE TwO kIDS foR a reASoN anD ThAt iS To HAVE ONE OF THEM REPLACE THE OTHER/USING ONE OF THEM TO THREATEN THE OTHER IF THEY MESS UP. ALSO NEITHER OF THEM MATTERS APPARENTLY BC THEY’RE BOTH JUST TOOLS FOR CARRYING ON THE BLOODLINE.

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE.

I get that this is only part 12 and he’s probably going to have a redemption scene or at least some whitewashing at the end, but STILL. I really, really, really, really, really don’t like Jonah and Luka’s father.

#ikemen revolution #ikerev #jonah clemence #luka clemence #clemence father #clemence patriarch #ikerev jonah #ikerev luka #i literally hate him so much #i thought claudius won the a+ parenting award #but nah #this guy obliterated him #best nominee no doubt #god i hate him so much

[panharmonium]

you know what?

no.  absolutely not.

i already did part 1 of this post here.  i’m back again with part 2, because unfortunately the awfulness factor doesn’t stop with arthur, and as much as i adore hunith generally, this entire sequence is a MESS.

and yes, i am aware that pretty much nobody else thinks so.  every time i see this scene referenced in fandom, it is always framed as a fun, cutesy, sing-songy moment of “oooo, hunith ships merthur!”  literally every time.  

which, you know, like i always say about everything fandom-related - that’s fine.  everybody is going to enjoy things differently; you do you, and keep on having fun!  but here on my own blog, in my own space, i am gonna do me, and in this case ‘me’ involves yelling about how much i can’t stand that particular read, and how angry the end of 1.10 makes me.

disclaimer, to help folks curate their own fandom experiences: i am going to be Very Cranky for the rest of this post.  if you love this particular scene in the way i just mentioned, you will probably want to scroll on by, because this piece of meta most likely won’t be your jam.  as always, these are my personal thoughts and nobody is obligated to share them, so please do not hesitate to simply skip this post if we are on different wavelengths - instead, keep enjoying fandom in whatever way is most fun for you!

fair warning now given, off i go on a long, frustrated tirade.

i already wrote about the first half of this scene, where arthur decides that the appropriate thing to do at this particular moment is to give merlin a scolding about the evils of sorcery, despite the fact that the only reason arthur is even alive to deliver this lecture in the first place is because merlin’s ‘sorcerer’ best friend just DIED saving arthur’s life.  but sure, you know what, let’s use said best friend’s funeral to chastise merlin about how “dangerous” sorcerers are.  let’s just make that completely dickheaded decision.  

and, moving on to the second half of this scene - here’s the thing.  hunith overhears this entire conversation.  she overhears arthur telling merlin off about sorcery, in front of the burning corpse of merlin’s best friend, who is, as far as arthur knows, the ‘sorcerer’ who died saving arthur’s life.  

and yet, for some inexplicable reason, hunith still cannot get off the arthur pendragon train for two damn seconds.  

she has known arthur for less than a week.  by contrast, she has known will for his entire life.  but the instant arthur walks away, hunith sidles up next to merlin and says, “you’d better be going” - like.  okay, my god, can you try to hustle him away from his best friend’s in-progress funeral any faster?????  how about we maybe give him a second?  the pyre hasn’t even burnt down yet, and merlin hasn’t had a single second to himself since this sequence started.  he’s had to stand there and listen to arthur insult the dude who everyone is supposed to be memorializing, and then hunith - who overheard the entire thing - zips right over and tries to chivvy merlin on his way.  you’d better be going.

HELLO?!  the pyre is still roaring.  how about, instead of hassling merlin and hustling him offstage, everybody just sits down and waits for a minute.  how about they all just leave merlin alone for three everloving seconds.  

honestly, just - every time i think about this scene i get angrier.

i love hunith, and i know she’s well-intentioned.  but everything she gives merlin in this scene is the exact opposite of what he needs.  he doesn’t need to be hurried off the village green like there’s some reason he can’t stay there for the entirety of his friend’s funeral.  he doesn’t need to be pushed into going back to camelot when he is clearly struggling with the idea of leaving ealdor again.  and he absolutely does not need to be told how much someone else “needs” him right now, when he himself is the one who is having a fucking crisis and who needs someone to take care of him.

i cannot emphasize that last point enough.  it is just - beyond upsetting to me that hunith literally watches arthur shitting on merlin’s dead best friend (and, by proxy, merlin himself, since merlin is the actual sorcerer) and she still somehow thinks the right thing to do is walk over and start telling merlin how great arthur is and how arthur “needs” him and how merlin “belongs at arthur’s side.”  

i can’t stand that.  it makes me so angry.  it’s not right.  it’s not fair.  it’s damaging.  it’s the same shitty messaging that destroys merlin’s life in later seasons, this idea that he exists for someone else’s sake, the complete disregard for what he himself might want at any given moment, for what he himself might need, for the reservations he might have about this plan that other people have formulated for his life.

he is UNCOMFORTABLE when she says these things to him!  he doesn’t look at her; he shifts his gaze to arthur and the camelot squad with this grim, unconvinced expression on his face, and then he averts his eyes from her.

everything hunith tells merlin in this scene is the exact opposite of what he needs to hear.  he does not need someone to tell him how badly his services are “needed” by a man who hates the person merlin truly is, not when the only friend who ever accepted merlin’s true self has just been killed.  he does not need to be told that arthur, who is alive solely because will is dead and who only seconds ago expressed exactly zero gratitude for that sacrifice, is the person to whom merlin owes his undying loyalty.  he does not need to be shuffled off to camelot as quickly as possible, as if it would be better for him to just rush forward and forget what happened here, as if what happened here didn’t matter.  

because what happened here did matter, whether hunith and arthur find it convenient to acknowledge or not.  i have to lay this out again, because what happened to merlin in ealdor is so much more important than anybody ever seems to realize - and i do understand that, i really do (because yes, it was just one episode for us) - but we have to look at it from merlin’s perspective, not the audience’s.

will wasn’t ‘one episode’ for merlin.  

i can’t say this enough times.  i cannot say this loudly enough.

merlin, at the beginning of this show, has only ever had ONE FRIEND.

most of us can’t even imagine something like that.  

but try.  TRY.  

merlin has only ever had one friend.  he’s only ever had one friend to love him.  he only had one friend for the first two decades of his life.  he’s only been in camelot for a couple of months; he’s only known these camelot people for a couple of months, and they don’t know his real self anyhow.  and now his ONLY FRIEND, the person he’s known all his life, the only friend he ever had who knew him for who he truly was, was just violently cut down before his very eyes, whilst saving a guy who can legally have merlin murdered for just existing.  and even though merlin and will spend the entirety of 1.10 having a painful, complicated argument, will still uses his last moments on earth to tell the biggest fucking whopper of his life, in order to shield merlin from harm, taking all of the danger and infamy and condemnation upon himself.  he dies with a lie on his lips.  he dies with merlin’s hand in his hair.  

and all the while, merlin knows that this would not have happened if he had just been willing to use his magic in the first place, instead of letting his fear of discovery prompt him into allowing his neighbors to offer themselves up for the slaughter in his place.

the avalanching double-whammy of grief and guilt that merlin is suddenly slammed with at the end of this episode is almost incomprehensible in scale.

i’ve talked about this before, but again, i think it’s something we don’t generally remember: losing will is the first time merlin has ever experienced personal bereavement.  and he doesn’t get to start out with a warm-up; he goes straight to the big leagues.  this is not some trifling thing.  this is a total implosion of merlin’s world as he knows it.  

when we think about the mark this episode leaves on merlin’s life, i don’t think most of us consider the magnitude of this event deeply enough.  losing will in this way is not some one-off thing that merlin just...gets over.  this is the most earth-shattering thing that has ever happened to him, at this point in time.  it is still one of the worst things that has ever happened to him, period, even years later.  the guilt never goes away.  

and the thing that’s unique about this particular trauma is that merlin has to manage it alone.  there are other tragedies in his life where we witness him receiving support/comfort from others - freya, lancelot, balinor (though of course there are aspects to these miseries that merlin has to keep secret from other people, as well) - but with will, merlin has to do everything on his own.  he can’t get one single moment of peace at will’s funeral.  his own mother, the only person who knows what really happened, can’t help him without making everything about arthur.  and merlin can’t tell anyone else what happened, not the truth of it, because doing so would squander the gift he’s been given - will’s lie is still protecting him, years later, from arthur and morgana both.  

merlin, at the end of 1.10, is forced to navigate this grief completely alone, in the silent secrecy of his own heart.  arthur is actively making it worse.  hunith is out here singing arthur’s praises.  and will is just like - he’s suddenly not part of the conversation anymore.  he doesn’t even register on anyone’s radar.

it truly is...incredible, for me, to watch hunith overhear arthur being legitimately terrible to both merlin and the guy who just died saving merlin AND arthur’s lives, and then to see her come over and start talking about how merlin belongs at arthur’s side, how much merlin needs to be there for him, how they’re two sides of the same coin.  meanwhile, the guy who literally just lied his life away to protect merlin’s secret and who NEVER made merlin feel like he had to hide who he was and who never had any problem with magic in the first place and never made merlin feel unsafe and never treated merlin like he was less of a human being just for existing -

- he’s just burning to ash there, and hunith doesn’t even acknowledge that, despite the fact that merlin is so visibly, intently, single-mindedly focused on that funeral pyre, and so clearly in distress and in pain and NEEDING somebody.  all she can talk about is merlin’s responsibility to arthur.  

the dissonance here is baffling.  hunith has known will forever.  she met arthur less than a week ago.  she barely knows him, and what she does know is that he thinks magic-users are dangerous/evil.  she saw him being a dick to her kid.  she knows her son is having the worst day of his life.  and she still doesn’t offer a single comforting word in reference to the person who just died protecting merlin’s secret, instead choosing to wax poetic about a man whose bigotry is what merlin needed protecting from in the first place.

that...is a hot mess.  the merlin-hunith-will dynamic is one of the few things in this show that reflects less-than-stellarly on hunith’s character, however much i love her.  and even though it all stems from an overwhelming desire to keep her son safe, it doesn’t make her choices any less damaging.  she sends merlin away specifically because she finds out that will knows about his secret.  she spends 1.10 analyzing and encouraging and dissecting merlin’s relationship with arthur, when merlin’s relationship with will is the one that desperately needs attention.  she’s proven wrong about will’s trustworthiness in the most stunning, powerful way possible, and then she never even acknowledges him, instead choosing to laud the dude who literally forces merlin to live in fear of execution.

she’s merlin’s mother.  she’s the only person in his life who knows anything about what will actually meant to him.  she is his only possible resource as he tries to weather a kind of devastation that defies description.  

and she, like arthur, just barrels right on ahead and makes everything about someone else.

the cinematography choices in this scene matter.  whenever arthur or hunith tries to talk to merlin, the camera is placed on the opposite side of the fire from them, meaning the flames are always in the foreground of the frame.  they are something we are required to see and look past before we can get to anything else in the scene.  and in terms of directorial/acting decisions - merlin doesn’t take his eyes off the pyre until the end of his conversation with hunith.  not once while talking to arthur does he look away from it.

the funeral pyre is always in the foreground of the shot, because it’s in the forefront of merlin’s mind.  that is where his focus is right now.  that is what is taking up all of his attention.  that is what is edging into the frame, eating up our entire field of view.  that is what he needs help with.

but he doesn’t get any such support.  the entire sequence ends up revolving around arthur.  will’s entire funeral is about arthur fucking pendragon.  arthur inserts himself so he can talk to merlin about how evil magic is, and then hunith inserts herself so she can talk to merlin about how great arthur is.  nobody ever stops to think that maybe merlin doesn’t want to talk to anybody right this second.  merlin’s entire ‘farewell’ to the only true friend he ever had in his life is completely swallowed up by the prince of camelot, and if that isn’t a metaphor for the rest of merlin’s life, then i don’t know what is.  

i know nobody needs to hear this, because very few people are invested in this kid at the same level of embarrassing detail as me, but here it is, anyway.  

yes, will is prickly.  he’s hard to get on with.  he’s angry.  he’s bitter and snappy and uncharitable, sometimes.

but you know what?  he has every reason to be like that.  

this kid has nobody.  his own best friend’s mother - who has known him all his life - doesn’t trust him and doesn’t respect him.  she is too afraid for her own son’s safety to give will any credit.  she sends merlin away to camelot, the most violently anti-magic place in the world, because apparently, will knowing about merlin’s secret would be even more dangerous than uther pendragon’s genocidal reign.

think about how that would feel.  to hear something like that about yourself.  to be somebody who is already so goddamn alone in the world, and to have your only friend vanish without so much as a ‘see you later,’ and then to be made to feel, however indirectly, like this is somehow your fault, like you’re the liability, like you’re the untrustworthy element here.  as if you, somehow, are more dangerous than a king who literally pays to have sorcerers trafficked to him in cages.

will has every right to be upset, all the time.  he has every reason to be angry, and bitter, and hurt, all the time.  to be thought so poorly of - to be held in such low esteem - when he hasn’t done anything wrong, when he hasn’t ever done anything to earn that kind of mistrust - and to have that same misplaced suspicion used to justify separating him from the only person in the world who gives a damn about him - if it were me, i would be constantly on the verge of screaming, all the time.

will has always been on merlin’s side, and he has never done anything to endanger him, and in the end he gives up everything to make sure merlin can stay safe and hidden and unhunted.  he shouldn’t have needed to prove his goodness, his constancy, his worth; not when he’s already kept merlin’s secret for who knows how many years, but even after he does do so, it doesn’t even matter.  arthur acknowledges him only to disparage sorcery.  hunith passes him over completely in favor of praising arthur, with no acknowledgment of the misjudgment she made.

i have said before that merlin tends to befriend people who have nobody, people who’ve been left behind by the rest of the world, people who’ve been made to feel that they aren’t worthy of love.  and will, merlin’s oldest friend, was the first of those many characters, and it is so heartbreaking to me that in this instance, the same kind of disinterested and careless attitude towards his worth that dogged him all his life is perpetuated and affirmed after his death.  ‘people are used to ignoring him,’ merlin tells arthur, and merlin is right - even when will is dead and burning, arthur only sees sorcery.  hunith, who we would expect to be more sympathetic, only sees arthur.

merlin is the only one who knows better.  merlin has always known better, and he loves will so much, but he is the only one, apparently, and honestly, after will dies?  nobody else even tries to understand.

to sum up:

hunith and arthur, for all that i love them, are both way out of line at the end of this episode.  

the legacy of this experience, for merlin, is that he spends the rest of his life processing this particular trauma alone.  and that is why i always, always have to keep will and ealdor in the back of my mind when i write for merlin in any capacity - because this event isn’t some simple stumbling block for him; it changes him forever.  it teaches him what he can and can’t expect from the people around him, and it solidifies how irrelevant his own needs are when viewed in comparison with arthur’s, even to people who barely even KNOW arthur; people who are supposed to put merlin first over everything.  it teaches merlin to bury his sorrow, and to wrestle with personal suffering in secret, because if things aren’t ultimately about arthur, then they aren’t important enough to be granted any significant amount of time for merlin to deal with.  merlin’s own grief, even at his best friend’s funeral, takes too long to resolve.  arthur walks away from the pyre, and it’s time for merlin to leave, too.  you’d better be going.

bottom line: i don’t care if other people think this whole ‘ooo, everybody wants merlin to be with arthur’ thing is wonderful or beautiful or dreamily romantic.  it isn’t.  it’s ugly, and it’s cruel, and it stripped merlin of his present identity and his future potential, one stolen moment at a time.

#and that's what i have to say about that #so. #in case you all weren't already aware #will is a goddamn hero #and merlin misses him every day #the once and future slowburn #meta #no kings no masters

[fanfic-mind]

Blood on my hands (all that i've gained and all that i've lost)

pairing: merthur

warnings: non

status: fanfic draft, Part 1/? (~ 2300)

It’s yet again an hour of need for Camelot. But the weapon they need to safe kingdom and people comes with a price. Only those who prove that they are powerful and wicked can receive it. The knights of Camelot don’t have enough evil deeds to be worthy of the sword. They think everything is lost - until  Merlin speaks up...

A magic reveal story in which Merlin makes good use of being a morally grey character. Because, yea, Merlin-is-the-victim-reveals are swell and all but he is capable of making his own decisions and some of them are pretty shady. There is still a good amount of Uther bashing included.

Somehow they get into a situation that requires someone with blood on their hands - figuratively (otherwise it wouldn't be a problem because seeing how often Arthur and Merlin and also Gwaine get wounded by just existing they probably wouldn't even have to injure anyone)

Maybe a god of the Old Religion guards a weapon they need to kill the magic beast of the week or to destroy a cursed item.

In any case: they are really desperate. People are dying and this is their last hope, their last resort.

To their misfortune, this weapon is guarded by a very cunning and wicked god and they will only give their weapon to someone who has the power and the will to use it for evil deeds

There is a test that must be passed by the one who wants to receive the weapon. They must prove that they did enough evil deeds to be worthy of it.

Arthur quickly fails his test because despite some wrongs he's done he is way too just and noble to be wicked

The only knight that seems to get at least a few moments more of consideration is Leon who has done some terrible things - however under Uther's orders which isn't quite powerful enough

"Ahh, Uther Pendragon," the god muses, "Him i would have given the weapon. Such rage and blind hatred and, oh yes, so much blood."

Arthur grits his teeth and sets his jar. he wonders if his father would be disappointed in him for not living up to this legacy of his. he wonders - not for the first time - why he wanted to be like his father once and how he managed to end up being so different.

The knights discuss their strategy. non of them is wicked enough to pass the test. they have wicked people in Camelot's dungeons. But Camelot is three day rides off and their quest is really urgent.

They could separate and seek for wicked folk, but the chances seem slim and the risk of them keeping the weapon as they receive it seems too big

People are dying and they need to do something now.

"there must be another way to destroy it," Lancelot suggests, though they've been over this. His eyes stray to Merlin, but Merlin seems caught up in thought.

If there was an easier way to do this, Merlin and Gaius would have come up with it by now. asking the god had been their idea in the first place.

"What if there isn't?" Gwaine argues heatedly. "We can't have waisted six days for nothing. This is probably our last chance."

"so what do you suggest?" Lancelot interrupts somewhat irritated. They temperaments are heated at this point. And suddenly knowing each other’s worst deeds doesn’t exactly lighten the mood. "All of us failed the test. i wouldn't have thought that I'd ever be angry about being found too good and noble."

Gwaine shrugs with a grimace. He hadn't thought that he'd ever be deemed good and noble in the first place.

"maybe there's a way out of that," Arthur says. He hasn’t spoken in a while and all heads turn towards him.

"what do you mean, Sire?" Leon asks, looking uneasy as if he already knows and doesn't like it.

"If you're not noble enough, you proof your nobility by doing good deeds," Arthur starts matter of fact. "so, logically, if I'm not wicked enough, i prove my wickedness by doing an evil deed."

The god smiles a toothy smile.

"To murder just anyone obviously isn't evil enough" Arthur says, looking at the god with disgust. "so it must be somthing worse. murdering a friend, for example."

"My king, with all due respect, this is madness," Leon say carefully.

"sir Leon, that's the point." Arthur says sourly.

"is that really it?" Gwaine shouts at the god who watches his outburst unimpressed. "You want us to slaughter each other?"

the god laughs, distant and hollow and the earth seems to vibrate with it. "The weapon can only be taken by those of power who are wicked and cunning enough to wield it." the god repeats his earlier words.

"So there's not even a guarantee," Gwaine says, throwing up his arms. "Arthur, let's just leave and see if we can find something else."

"there is nothing else, Gwaine, you said so yourself!" Arthur returns. His expression is incredibly pained but determined in a way that makes them all shudder. Leon, Percival and Lancelot unconsciously get into fighting stance.

Gwaine takes a few steps to put himself between the king and Merlin who is the most vulnerable

Arthur nods to himself, seemingly coming to a decision in his head.  Tehn he draws his sword . "If either of you kills me while i try to kill you, that might be enough too" he muses

They all stare at him in horror, unable to believe that he will go through with this.

"My people are dying," Arthur says, his tone pleading, "if i have to sacrifice my good conscience to help them - well, it is a price i must be willing to pay. I'm sorry. But all of you swore to protect Camelot at all costs too."

Arthur halts for am moment then nods grimly. "Don't try to sacrifice yourself. I'm sure that's not what he's looking for" Arthur nods towards the stony god who smiles.

"you can't be serious" Mordred whispers.

"I'm afraid i am. Now, it's been an honour. truely. and i hope - i hope I'll still have your respect afterwards. Though, i can understand if you can't trust me again."

"that's enough."

They all turn around. Partly, because they had forgotten about Merlin who has been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time. and partly because they have rarely heard this sort of tone from him. harsh and demanding. a voice more fit for a king than his manservant.

They stare at him and he makes short eye contact with Arthur before he steps forward, in front of the statue that the god is using as a vessel.

"test me." Merlin says. his voice is determined and his shoulders are set.

Arthur let's out a short laugh, because clearly this is absurd, right? Merlin is the best and kindest of all of them. Actually, coming to think of it, if he's really honest, Merlin probably is the reason Arthur is not like his father. Merlin makes him better. Merlin makes him want to be better.

A few of the knights share his sentiments, laughing slightly hysterical with tension but still perplexed over this development.

Only Lancelot steps forward with a frown as if to pull him back, but merlin raises a hand without looking at him and he stops in his tracks.

Arthur who was about to say something stops too.

The god looks more alive than before he seems to stretch himself to his full height as if he has waited for this

"welcome" he starts as he has with all of them. "young warlock, tell me your deeds."

lancelot tenses, casting a worried glance back at the king who stands there, sword still drawn, eyes fixed in Merlin as if he doesn't understand any of this

Lancelot doesn't either. Even if Merlin is a sorcerer - what evil deeds can he possibly have done? Saving Arthur's life over and over without ever seeking credit doesn't have a ring of evil to him.

"I am Merlin, and they call my Emrys." Merlin starts.

Some of the Knights gasp. Emrys is a name they know by now.

Lancelot wonders whether Merlin considers his identity an evil deed in itself. The possibility breaks his heart a bit.

"I was born with magic. I am the most powerful sorcerer there is."

Merlin takes a deep breath.

"i lied to all my friends. I let them think they can trust me, that they know me. But they never will. I could kill them just by looking at them. I am magic and i killed many behind friends backs and before their eyes, but never revealed myself to them"

"I am a slayer of my own people," he continues, his voice hard, "I killed many creatures and men of magic to protect their murderers - the king and his son. I did it out of self-righteousness and out of selfishness because...” for a moment, Merlin halts, but then he continuous with the same hard tone as before, as if something is forced out of him, but he wants to stand for it.

“I loved Arthur more than my own people. i let many of them die even though i could have helped them if i had revealed myself. But i couldn't bear the thought to be separated from him so i stayed quiet and watched them burn."

The god nods Merlin on. They all stand in shock. They know from before that Merlin won't be able to stop telling his deeds before the god thinks he is done.

"I killed the witch Nimueh even though she told me i have to pay with a life to save Arthur's. Instead of giving my life as i promised, i killed her."

"I killed Mary Collins, Afanc, Aulfric, Sophia, Cornelius Sigan, Myror and many more. "

Merlin's voice falters a bit, but he seems to pull himself together visibly, because his voice is clearer again when he keeps speaking.

"My betrayal to my people is so great, my wickedness so deep, i considered to kill a child on the mere possibility that he could threaten what was mine in the future."

Mordred makes a quiet stricken noise.

No one dares take their eyes off Merlin, but Merlin himself turns his head slowly.

There is a gasp of horror when they all see that his eyes are glowing yellow with magic.

Up until now, no one except Mordred and Lancelot had truly believed it.

"I tried to kill Mordred when he was a child and i wish his death even now though he is kind and serves Arthur."

Lancelot looks at Merlin with complete bewilderment as Mordred sobs.

Merlin doesn't answer Lancelot's gaze, he just turns around again.

They can hear him take in another breath and it sounds more halting than before.

"I knew that my friend had magic and i saw her turmoil and her fear of being killed. of being burned by her own kin like all of the others. but instead of helping her, i left her in the dark. I told her to trust me - she trusted my - and then i poisoned her."

Merlin stops for a moment, his voice sounds rough as if speaking becomes quickly more difficult.

"I gave Morgana poison in full intend and watched her as she died and i regretted when she was healed."

"Only i had the power and knowledge to save her, but i turned my head from her suffering, i killed her when she didn't know better than to turn to her sister, it was me that made her what she is today."

There is another short pause. Lancelot is desperate to see Merlin's face. To demand how this all really went. Because though he knows that Merlin is bound to say the truth by the power of the god, he still thinks there must be a mistake or a trick. This is not Merlin. Merlin would never...would he?

"I conspired with and freed the dragon that attacked Camelot which led to the death of many innocent people. I attempted to kill Arthur on multiple occasions."

Lancelot frowns. This one he knows to be untrue. Merlin didn't want to kill Arthur. it was Morgana's doing that he went after him.

"i saved Uther Pendragon's life - more than once. I let him live even though he slaughtered my people. I saved his life even though i didn't have to. I never killed him even though i had many opportunities."

Merlin pauses then, looking up at the god.

"Do i really need to go on?" he asks and it sounds almost indifferent. except they know Merlin and they know how his face looks when he sounds this way.

The god leans their head to one side slowly. the stone his vessel is made of groans.

"You are worthy, young warlock. More than you know. Into your hands i command my sword."

Suddenly, there is noise and light and they cover their eyes, everyone except for Merlin and Mordred.

They can't be sure but they think they can hear Merlin's voice through it all, speaking a foreign tongue. Then, it's over.

When the air clears, Merlin stands alone, the stone vessel of the god has crumbled to pieces, a big sword in his hand. For just a moment, when he turns around to face them, he looks nothing like Merlin at all. His eyes are golden, and his face is grim, lips pressed into a thin line. His posture is straight and majestic and he holds the sword like a warrior. His appearance strikes them with fear. He looks like power incarnate.

The others notice from the corners of their eyes that Mordred kneels before him. and even as they are completely bewildered, they have an urge to do the same.

The next moment though, it's all gone, and Merlin looks like he's never handled a sword before. His eyes are blue and his cheeks messy with dust and tears. He sinks to his knees and the weapon falls from his hands - is pushed from his fingers as if through magic, landing on the ground with a strange sound.

Merlin looks after the sword with disgust clear on his face. Then he looks up and suddenly he looks afraid.

To be continued

#merthur #magic reveal #merlin fanfic #merlin x arthur #merlin

[lucreziaborgiagf]

HELLO JESS. BBC GHOSTS ARTHURIAN AU GO (by which I mean the arthurian characters in the premise of BBC ghosts, not the other way around)

REY oh my god i love you for this here we go

So in Ghosts the alive characters are a married couple, right?? Wrong!! Well, not wrong, because yes that’s exactly what Mike and Alison are. But wrong for this version because though I seriously considered having one of the couples as the main characters I then thought “hey what’s more fun than a family!!” and luckily for us (me) we have a ready made family in the form of (drumroll please) The Orkneys!!

The rest is under a read more because I got what some might call “carried away” and others might call “obsessed”

What happens is this: as the Orkney brothers grow up, they rather naturally become separated, until at last Gareth is the last one, at seventeen, living with their mother. Their father (or at least, their supposed father: they all know that Mordred looked too dissimilar to Lot to really be his son, though they never said it) died a while ago, and Morgause could not find it in her to really focus on her children over her job.

The five of them seem to unspokenly care about each other, but in a way where it was clear that they were all waiting to be contacted first.

Nonetheless, when Morgause does die, with Gareth having just turned eighteen and seriously wondering why he had taken a gap year from university, they all show up, and find that they had jointly been bequeathed the old family house in the country.

Gawain has been recently promoted and is now working from home. This meant more time than he usually spent inside his flat, and he had been getting rather claustrophobic. So, after an admittedly short heart to heart with Gareth, who was looking quite nervously towards a future without parents and with no idea what to do, he packs up his brothers in a typically Gawain-like fashion and moves them all out to the manor.

Mordred has been able to see ghosts since an incident in his youth involving a large body of water, an ill-timed trip and a sudden storm. He hasn’t been in water since, but the near-death experience left his with the ability to see those spirits left when their bodies had departed. This is especially unfortunate for him, because half the time he doesn’t particularly want to be able to see living people, let alone ghosts who do not leave when he throws things at them. But he puts up with it enough: there is, beyond all logic, a particular cup he took from Morgause’s house when he left which somehow has three ghosts attached to it, and they happily provide a deterrent for any others.

(It does create a somewhat awkward car journey: he’s being driven by Agravaine, and between the boxes in the back and the only two seats in the front, there’s not much room even for a ghost. Aggs keeps looking at him weirdly when he fidgets, but it’s not his fault that the only free place left is his lap or that Galahad decided that he simply had to see the journey to the house rather than simply confining himself to the cup like Bors and Percival did.)

Anyway, this means that he arrives at the house and immediately sees a crowd of variously costumed figures and tries turning around and leaving. Unfortunately Agravaine anticipates some “young adult hormones” and quickly steers him straight inside.

It takes him a while to finally be alone with the ghosts, who seem to quickly realise he can see them. There are eleven of them in total, though a couple seem to spend most of their time in the little gatekeeper house rather than the main building. He immediately makes a note to avoid Dinadan, who looks at Mordred once and immediately makes fun of his choice in band t-shirts (and like, he’s a ghost, what does he know about bands, it’s like trying to talk to Gaheris—) and Lamorak is instantly relegated to Mordred’s extensive “least liked people” list, which is different to his “disliked people” list. Kay seems kind of mean, which is funny, and Bedivere is responsible enough to try and control the others, but they are clearly “not dating” which honestly Mordred has no time for.

He gets on best with Clarissant, probably, as she’s smart and not too grating but still sweet enough that she likes sitting with him when he wants to be quiet but doesn’t want to be alone. Owain, likewise, has shown him several spaces in the garden for birdwatching or other wildlife (which Mordred doesn’t particularly have used for, but he does appreciate the effort).

Owain is “not dating” a different ghost, Laudine, but in a different way than Kay and Bedivere are “not dating”, in a way that doesn’t get on Mordred’s nerves and lets him acknowledge that Laudine is kind of funny. Elaine doesn’t really talk to him: there’s a river and lake by the house and she seems to prefer it there, or else by the old tower. But she has great stories, and never minds when he really needs a vent, usually about his brothers.

It’s Palamedes and Brangaine who live (in the loosest sense of the word) in the gatekeeper’s cottage. This is very useful, because it means he can set up a little bedroom inside, though it’s mostly for storage now, and sleep there when he wants to pretend he has his own space. He has a strange nervousness that they might see him as a sort of pet, but he’s pretty sure that’s not the case.

Relatively sure.

Not that it matters. They have a clearly delicate history together, one Mordred is not about to ask after for fear that one or both will start crying, but they manage in a sort of sweet domesticity. He’s left the goblet in there for now, because Palamedes seems to enjoy Galahad, Bors and Percival’s company.

And it’s—

Nice.

And then, of course, there is Lancelot. He seems far too well meaning for Mordred to carry on any kind of maliciousness for long, except that for some godforsaken reason he has also decided that Gawain is an ideal muse. He spends way too much time following Gawain around, thinking up sappy poetry about Gawain, or else sighing blissfully out of a window (presumably over Gawain). Mordred thinks that if Lancelot were to ever be able to actually talk to Gawain (physically, he means. Or figuratively? Because even if Lancelot wasn’t a ghost he does not seem to have any cognitive abilities around Gawain anyway) then this image would be shattered. Gawain looks pretty, but so does this waterfall Mordred once read about that falls down into nothingness and despair, or the river stretch that looks like a lovely refreshing swim but actually is an fierce riptide with a 100% mortality rate. Something like that. But the point is that it’s difficult enough with Gawain constantly around without having his admirer hanging round all the time too. Gawain is insufferable already without Gaheris and Gaheris getting to add to their board of “Is Gawain Secretly (Or Not-So-Secretly) a Changeling” with ‘every time he puts something down it always seems to move just within reach when he goes to pick it up’

(If you’re wondering why there isn’t an Arthur, that is a subplot that I just suddenly decided on just now. I was going to have Arthur as a Captain-like ghost but then I was thinking and long story short there’s a tangent here—

It was Arthur’s house. He’s still Mordred’s dad, though here I guess he isn’t their uncle as well, and he left Morgause the house in his will. He heard she was pregnant, and there was a little but if him which knew he could never acknowledge his child but he still wanted to provide in some way. Arthur doesn’t have to be a bad parent.

Incidentally this also solves why the brothers didn’t really know about the house before rather than “Morgause wasn’t a big fan of the country”.)

(OH MY GOD also so Guin isn’t a ghost either bc I wanted her alive. So now she’s an important plot point. She moved into the outskirts of the nearby village because she liked the area but didn’t want to contest for a massive empty house. Anyway she’s smart and despite the problems her and her late husband went through, she does respect him for this. So eventually the Orkneys will have to go for a discovery on the house’s secrets aka there are ghosts and so they will find Guin and discover the Truth. It’s all coming together now lads)

They invite their neighbours over for dinner one night: the house needs some pretty desperate renovating, but it’s now moderately liveable at least and, according to Gawain, this requires a party.

So invite them over he does. The ones to the left, a couple named Tristan and Isolde, though Gaheris swears that when they were introduced in the village Isolde looked completely different, and the ones to the right, Morgan and Vivian. They pass a very pleasant evening, despite the fact that a fox manages to get on the roof.

No one is sure how.

Gaheris and Agravaine are charged with rescuing it, which is by far the stupidest decision Gawain has ever made. However, despite them all living together, the brothers are really not in a brilliant harmony yet, and so Gawain sends those two off whilst he entertains their guests.

The two of them are staring out the window at the fox for a while before Gaheris dares Agravaine to climb up. He doesn’t want to, but Gaheris is his little brother, and if he passes over a dare from him he’ll never hear the end of it. So he climbs out.

It’s a dry night. But it was not a dry day. And the leaves packed on all the footholds are wet and slippery, and Agravaine—

Falls—

And hits the ground, several stories below.

They’re all terrified, of course, regretting every moment they spent apart or arguing. Agravaine is declared legally dead for fourteen minutes, and it is the worst fourteen minutes of any of their lives. But finally— finally— the doctors emerge to tell them that their brother is resting, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Which he does! There are several more doctor’s appointments and physiotherapists scheduled, but eventually he can return to house. (Unsurprisingly, the arguing starts again quickly.)

There is, however, one major difference.

Agravaine can now also see the ghosts.

Mordred, having been able to see them all his life, had not considered this possibility, and thus does not prepare.

Agravaine discovers these new abilities when he walks into a room to find Mordred, pretending to be on a phone call, chatting away with Clarissant whilst Lamorak inexplicably floats nearby. He stares, screams, and blacks out.

When he comes to after a moment he is faced with a lengthy, surprisingly bored conversation with Mordred, and seriously considers blacking out again. Lamorak has not left the room despite his presence being an inevitable disaster, and Agravaine perhaps unsurprisingly decides that He is to be the newest mortal enemy in Agravaine’s list.

(Lamorak is silently gratified that he is on lists for both alive people who can see him, and chooses to ignore the reasoning behind the lists.)

Mordred has been dealing with ghosts for most of his life.

Agravaine has Not.

This means that, pretty quickly, Gawain, Gaheris and Gareth realise something is even more wrong with those two than normal.

And of course they have to come clean.

Gaheris is half convinced that the two have found his conspiracy journal and that this is an elaborate ruse to trick him into confessing love for Nessie or something. Gareth is mostly concerned about the logistics and privacy, though Mordred’s narrated conversations between him and Owain seem to make him much more comfortable with the whole thing. Gawain is genuinely tempted to jump out a window to see if he can join to newly discovered exclusive club of ghost watchers, but eventually decides that it’s too much a risk to his beautiful face.

(Lancelot silently agrees, though it has not escaped his attention that it would be nice if Gawain could actually see him.)

#arthuriana #rey thank u this is the best ask ever #i got so carried away i’m so sorry #the ghosts were just a game of ‘i love these characters and you can’t stop me’ #but i’m not tagging them all #just #orkney clan #gawain #agravaine #gaheris #mordred #gareth #the fox is reynard #if you were wondering it is astolet elaine not corbenic elaine #in a more extended version of this her and lancelot best friends #arthurian literature #arthurian legend #bbc ghosts

[feyborns]

AU IN WHICH NIMUE WAS NEVER SHOT WITH THE ARROW/OR SHE WAS SAVED AND REUNITED WITH THE REST OF THE FEY. Lancelot and Squirrel have also joined the camp, and it’s been a few weeks since they’ve all come together. (Pls don’t give me shit if something is not accurate. I loved the show and liked the theory of these two being a thing so PLS. Fan fiction is called fiction for a reason ok thnx)

The night was still, as the only thing to be heard was the crackling from the dying fire. Nimue silently curses herself for being one of the last few awake, as her eyes settle across the flames against the logs, they meet his. Was he a night owl as she was? Apparently so. A sigh emits into the vicinity, and she hates how quiet it is. Her village was always humming with life, and she clung the camp for the fey close to her heart as it mirrored her village in that aspect. Someone was always awake, up to something. Oceanic hues squeeze shut if only for a moment as she remembers their few days of bliss within those confines. Hidden away from the rest of the world. But most importantly, the Red Paladins. Optics narrow then, at the Weeping Monk. He’s given his true name, but she refused to give him the honor of using it. Even her thanks in saving Squirrel were limited. She loved that little boy, and hated that monk. His intentions were still unclear to her, and as she thinks of the Red Paladins, she’s reminded of his actions as well. He doesn’t meet her gaze from across the fire pit, but the way he avidly he avoids it shows he knows that she’s eyeing him carefully. Squirrel sort of looked up to him now. As any child would after being rescued in such a manner, but Nimue still held her guard up. She wouldn’t be considered Queen of the Fey if she was so easily trusting outsiders. Especially ones who had massacred his own kind. Still - it was clear that Father Carden had made his mark on him. Mentally and physically. And despite her best efforts, the heart kept behind those guards felt for him. Pitied him. Felt sad for him. Ripped away from his own culture, his people. Used as a puppet for majority of his life. Never knowing anything else. The way he saved Squirrel made something clear to Nimue, though. He couldn’t deny his true self, and when they came for a child, much like himself back then, they couldn’t allow them to murder him. He looked at Squirrel as if he was looking at a reflection of himself.

She’s stirred out of her thoughts only when he stifles up a cough from the back of his throat, meeting her gaze if only for a moment before averting it immediately back to the grass. “Something to say?” She questions, though she knows he was just trying to get her to stop eye boggling him. “No.” He mutters in that hushed tone of his, and for a moment she feels bad. She wished she didn’t. It would be so much easier for her if she was able to keep up this hardened shell toward him. It was, unfortunately, coming undone. He was an asset to the Fey, of course. He was an extremely skilled warrior. A master of the sword he weilded. It stirs an idea up within inside of her. “Could you teach me some of what you know?” Motions toward the weapon, and all he offers in response a swift nod.

A week later.

She’d never seen him so lively. So full of movements. But as he weilded the sword toward her, she’s awestruck. Father Carden was a beast, and a monster. A vile creature. But he surely toward Lancelot well. She’d retracted her earlier sentiment about using his given name - as their dusk meeting to fling swords at one another had become an every day thing. It seemed only respectful. If he was going to teach her, it was the least she could do. She felt like a master with the Devils Tooth already, but she knew it was the Hidden that guided her. There was room for improvement when it came to her fighting skills, and she found herself growing fond of the time they spent together. A part of her still hates herself for it.

“Distracted, today?” He questions, monotone as he is, he peers at her carefully. She shys away from his gaze, chocolate tendrils doing well to cast over her cheeks as she shakes her head.

“Never. Just awaiting your next move. I think I can already guess what it is.” She taunts, though there’s a mischievous grin settling upon crimson lips. And for the first time, she thinks ever, Lancelot is cracking the tiniest hint of a grin - before leaping forward into another lunge attack.

Two weeks later.

Sweat glistens in the rays of the sunlight, bouncing off the pairs bodies. They’d finished their practicing for the evening, and were now heading toward the lake to cool off. However, Nimue halts at the foot of the water, as Lancelot had already shed himself of his clothing, waist deep into the water. She’d only shown herself fully to Arthur - and he’s there in the back of her mind. Back at their makeshift camp, he was helping hunt for dinner. Gods, what’d he think of her right now? About to undress and indulge in a swim with someone who was once their enemy. It makes her stomach flip.

“Are you just going to stand there?” Applies the cool water to his long locks as he speaks, and she thinks herself he looks more so like an angel as opposed to what Father Carden had called him his whole life. A demon. She chuckles faintly, shaking her head. “Can you turn around?” He obliged without hesitation, and she appreciates that of him. Quickly, she’s tiffing off her garments, before slipping into the water. Careful to cover the entirety of her body.

He remains still though he had to of heard her come into the water. His back remains facing her, and it’s impossible not to notice the abundance of scars scattered about his shoulders and entire backside. It reminds her of her own, and she feels compelled to reach out and touch them. The pads of her fingertips smooth against the redness, soft. She didn’t want to startle him, but he tenses at the touch anyway. Something she expected. It’s abrupt, as he turns around, palm grasping fully at her wrist. “Don’t.” The single syllable leaves her frozen in place. Or perhaps it was his close proximity? A combination of both, she decides on.

“I’m sorry. We’re just... alike.” And she moves to find a grasp on the hand around her wrist, surprisingly he allows her to do so. The expression on his face was that if curiousity, as she moves his limb to rest against her shoulder blade, his fingertips mirroring her actions just seconds before. “See?” It’s a mere whisper, and when she lets go of him, he keeps it in place. Breath appears to be stuck in the back of her throat, and for a fleeting moment she’s thinking of Arthur.

It’s all flushed away as she makes a rather confident and last minute decision - pushing up the balls of her feet, it’s enticing as their lips meet for only a brief second. She’s petrified he’ll be disgusted. He’ll push her away - but wasn’t she supposed to be the one appalled with him here? Yet, he doesn’t move. He keeps the closeness between them, and she takes it as a motive to continue. Pressing full lips firmly against his own, petite hand finds place within his curls, and she feels as if she’s going to faint when he kisses her back.

It’s messy, and rough. Just like him. But she doesn’t mind. She never thought she’d want this, or stare at him long enough to wonder what his lips tasted like, but here she was. Finding the answer to that question. They tasted of salt, a mix of the water and the sweat from their pretend battle. Their tongues dance with one another, and goosebumps arouse her fair skin as his large hands find residence against her waist. Why was she craving this touch so badly? She doesn’t know, doesn’t have a clear answer. But as he does so, a muffled sound of pleasure emits into the others mouth, and she’s glad his eyes remained shut, as her cheeks flushed.

It’s as if her mind as gone completely blank, and all of her caution was thrown out the window. She’d never ached for someone this way, and she props one of her legs up around him, tugging him in flush up against her nude body. This earns a grunt of approval from him, and she yearns to hear more of them. It’s a swift action as her back is being pressed up against the side of the lake. Not a tactical place, but she wasn’t complaining as their lips continued to mesh together. She feels him between her legs, and can tell he’s not quite sure what he’s doing. It then dawns on her that he’s probably never done this before. Probably has never even kissed a girl before.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, breaking their kiss for a moment, her breath hot against his. “I want this.” Evidently she finds this is the only thing he needs to hear, pushing himself inside of her, slowly at first. The two’s noises of pleasure mix with one another in the air, as he’s beginning a rapid rhythm of thrusts inside of her. It was only the second time she’d done this, but why hadn’t the time with Arthur felt this good? Felt so right? It felt like Nimue and Lancelot were entangled within each other at this moment. Completely in their own world where the lust they silently held for one another could finally exposed and truly felt.

Grunts continue as his hands wander her body, exploring, and she likes it. It seemed as if he wanted to know every dip and crevice of it, as he was deep inside of her. Nimue’s head falls backward, mouth agape as his thrusts only quicken. He takes this opportunity, lips attaching to the exposed porcelain skin, nipping at sucking at the area. She feels ultimately euphoric as they reach their climaxes together.

It’s silent after, as he’s still inside her. Almost as if they’re both afraid to move and disturb the peace they’d just felt. However, the serenity could only last for so long, as he’s shifting his weight and moving a bit away from her, but not too far.

“Maybe we are,” he starts. “... alike, I mean.”

#cursed #weeping monk #nimue cursed #nimue #nimue x weeping monk #cursed fanfic #listen i made this side blog just to write this #please appreciate lmao #daniel sharman #katherine langford #nsfw.

[swanqueeneverafter]

The Once & Future Queen Pt.28

Fortress of Ismere. Present. Morgana's Bedchamber. (A raven arrives with a message for Morgana. As it lands on the window sill, Morgana rises from her bed and walks over to the window. Unfurling the message, she reads the hastily written note. 'They're coming, you must leave.' Morgana allows herself a small smile before turning on her heel and rushing from the room.) Storybrooke. Dr. Hopper's Office. (Reaching into his filing cabinet, Archie pulls out a patient file and turns to speak with his guests.)

Archie: "So, Maria has magic and you're worried about what that may mean for her future?" Regina: (Nods:) "We know our daughter is being targeted." Archie: "Well I must say I'm surprised you're seeking my advice as you've had no problem defending yourselves and others from the evils of this world before now?" Emma: "That's just it, this time we believe it's different. We think that maybe Morgana has plans to kidnap Maria and take her power somehow?" Archie: "I see." Regina: "The truth is we don't know what she wants and the thought of our child being in danger..." Archie: "Have either of you spoken with David and Snow about this? They know better than anyone what it's like to have their child... oh." (Archie stops talking as he realises what he was about to say.) Regina: "It's okay, Archie. You’re right, Snow and David do know what it's like to have their child be in danger, because of both me and Zelena. (Looks to Emma:) Maybe this is my past finally catching up with me?" Emma: "No, don't think like that. This is not some karmic justice we're talking about here. Morgana is just some crazed lunatic intent on fulfilling her so-called destiny and thinks our daughter might be the key to that." Archie: "Actually, from the little I know about Morgana, it sounds as though her childhood, while far from uncomfortable, was spent seeking acceptance from those around her. Particularly her father, Uther." Regina: "So, what are you saying?" Archie: "This is merely a theory of course but, maybe Morgana doesn't wish to harm Maria but rather raise her as her own?" Emma: "Kinda like the Black Fairy did with Gideon?" Regina: "That sounds like a bit of a stretch to me. Even if that were true, that's far from reassuring. (Stands and begins pacing the room:) All we know for sure is that Morgana vanished without a trace over ten years ago. If her plan is to take Maria and disappear, we may never see her again." Emma: "But, like you said, we don't know that's what she wants." Archie: "Well, I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you both." Emma: (Nods:) "We're just looking for as many different opinions as we can get." Regina: "I guess we're not used to feeling so vulnerable." Archie: "That's completely understandable. A child changes everything." Regina: (Gives a small smile:) "Yes, they do." Emma: "And, er... I also wanted to thank you for looking out for Regina while I was away. She told me you two talked and I appreciate it." Regina: "Me too." Archie: (Smiles:) "That's what I'm here for." Fortress of Ismere. (Mordred and Morgana share a meal before they depart.) Mordred: "And you're sure the one who sent you the message can be trusted?" Morgana: "What does it matter? Whether Lancelot and his soldiers are coming or not, our time here must come to an end." Mordred: "It matters because at least here we are safe. It is a fortress after all." Morgana: "I've made my decision." Mordred: "I can see that." Morgana: (Suddenly cold:) "And what is that supposed to mean?" Mordred: "Only that when there are two clear choices in front of us, you sometimes choose the wrong path." Morgana: "I see. So this is about the child again?" Mordred: "That child is the key to unlocking untold power-" Morgana: (Yelling:) “I am a High Priestess!” Mordred: (Rolls his eyes:) “Morgana.” Morgana: “I have the power of the heavens in my hand and yet Merlin continues to defy me! He is the one we should be focusing our combined efforts towards, not some innocent child.” Mordred: “Calm yourself.” Morgana: “I want his annihilation, Mordred. I want to put his head on a spike and watch as the crows feast on his eyes.” Mordred: “And I believe if we had the child we could accomplish that and much, much more. If we took her to the place Morgause brought you all those years ago, maybe-” Morgana: “Maybe what?” Mordred: “Well, there are rumours that Morgause had a hand in turning you against your former friends and allies in Camelot. Be it through torture or-” Morgana: “My sister cared more for me during my years in exile than almost anyone else in my life ever has.” Mordred: “And yet it was not she who taught you that ‘the love that binds us is more important than the power we wield’, was it? (Smirks:) You forget, Morgana, I know your secrets.” Mordred: “Hm. And here I thought you were the one who had forgotten. Forgotten that I am the one who saved your life all those years ago. Whatever you may think you know about me, Mordred, don’t make the mistake of believing you hold power over me.” Mordred: “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Morgana: (Glares at him and then slowly, a smile crosses her lips, a plan forming in her mind:) “Oh, my dear Mordred, I believe you’ve just given me a wonderful idea.”

King Richard's Former Kingdom. (In an attempt to demonstrate his credentials for Mayor of Storybrooke, King Richard accompanies David and Snow White while they visit the kingdom he used to rule before Valencia.) King Richard: "Finally, I return home to my old kingdom. Now I realise they’ve long moved on, but I still hold some star power around here and I can't wait to just let my people adore me. (Letting him walk on ahead, Snow and David exchange wearisome looks:) Ah, here we are.” Snow White: “What are we looking at?” King Richard: “This... (Turns in a slow circle in what is now merely an open field:) Is where my castle used to be. (David and Snow follow as Richard marches across the field, pointing in all directions:) This was a hallway! Hallway, hallway, hallway, my room, fireplace! This is where I kept my formal crowns, my casual crowns, my ‘just for fun’ crowns.” David: “Okay, are we done? Because we really do need to get back and start interviewing other candidates.” King Richard: “Oh, relax, Chiseled Chin. We haven’t even met the villagers yet.” Village. (Richard and the Charmings enter the village looking for people to talk with.) King Richard: “You know, it’s the strangest thing... This place always seems oddly familiar to me.” David: (Mutters to Snow:) “That’ll be because they built the village from sections of the castle.” King Richard: (Calling out to a passerby:) “I say, peasant, we have a few questions, and please don't get all star-struck because I'm speaking to you directly.” Peasant John: “No way! It's you!” King Richard: “I know. You're flustered.” Peasant John: “Guys, look, it's Snow White and Prince Charming!” (A small crowd gathers.) Snow White: (Smiles and waves:) “Hello.” David: (Awkwardly:) “Hi.” Peasant John: “What a thrill!” King Richard: “Is there perhaps someone else here you recognize? Maybe... Your former king?” Peasant John: “Oh, yeah. (Nonplussed:) Hiya.” King Richard: (Undeterred, addresses the crowd:) “Greetings, lowly ones! It is I, King Richard! I have returned! Good to see you again.” A Short Time Later. (Snow and David are now speaking with Peasant John.) Snow White: “So, perhaps you could tell us what lead to your decision to-” Peasant John: “Tear down the castle to make homes and shops for everybody? (Snow and David nod as Richard rejoins them:) Oh, well, here's the thing. (Leaning casually on Richard:) When you left us to go in search of the Jewel of Valencia, we didn't hear anything for a really long time.” King Richard: “All right, as I’ve said before, that was on me. (Lifts John’s arm gently off his shoulder:) I should've sent word.” Peasant John: “Yeah, but while you were away, we realized that a king is only a king if the people say he is.” (Richard turns to Snow and David and chuckles.) Peasant John: (Continues:) “And if they don't, well, he's just a man with a metal hat who's only in charge because his father wore a metal hat before him, which is pretty crazy if you think about it.” (The crowd laugh.) David: (Considers this:) “You know, he's... He's got a point. It is pretty crazy.” Snow White: “So are you calling my father crazy? Hmm?” David: “Er... please continue with your story, John.” Peasant John: “So, then we came together and asked ourselves ‘what if there was a different way of doing things? A better way? A fairer way?’” King Richard: “Oh, no. I know what's coming.” Peasant John: ♪ We've been trying something new in the dominion ♪ ♪ Since you went away ♪ ♪ With no king upon the throne ♪ ♪ We've all been left alone ♪ ♪ To build a new tomorrow here today ♪ King Richard: (Sighs:) “Right.” Peasant John: ♪ What if every single soul with an opinion ♪ ♪ Got to have their say? ♪ ♪ If on every point of note, we simply took a vote ♪ ♪ We'd build a new tomorrow here today ♪ David: “So, the butcher gets a vote?” Peasant John: “Yep!” Snow White: “The baker gets a vote?” Peasant John: “Yep!” ♪ And everyone who couldn't vote before ♪ Butcher: ♪ Except, of course, the women ♪ Baker: ♪ And we won't let him or him in ♪ (Points to two men behind him:) Peasant John: ♪ We mean everybody else ♪ Merchant: ♪ Except the poor ♪ Peasant John: ♪ Then we vote on every pressing public question ♪ ♪ Either ♪ Crowd: “Yay!” Peasant John: ♪ Or ♪ Crowd: “Nay!” David: “Nice.” Peasant John: ♪ Everybody gets to choose ♪ ♪ Except the you-know-whos ♪ ♪ As we build a new tomorrow here today ♪ Crowd: ♪ Every person counts the same ♪ ♪ Except, of course, the lame ♪ ♪ And the lepers ♪ ♪ And the gingers ♪ ♪ And the witches ♪ ♪ And the Heathens ♪ ♪ And the bastards ♪ ♪ And the Gypsies ♪ ♪ And the commies ♪ ♪ And the hippies ♪ ♪ As we build a new tomorrow ♪ Peasant John: ♪ A fair and square tomorrow ♪ Crowd: ♪ A more aware tomorrow here today ♪ ♪ So, we all will march together towards the future ♪ Peasant John: ♪ Well, not all per se ♪ ♪ Just the ones who look like me ♪ Crowd: ♪ It's called democracy-y-y-y-y ♪ ♪ The landed ♪ ♪ And the wealthy ♪ ♪ And the pious ♪ ♪ And the healthy ♪ ♪ And the straight ones ♪ ♪ and the pale ones ♪ ♪ And we only mean the male ones ♪ Peasant John: ♪ If you're all of the above, then you're ok-a-a-a-ay ♪ Crowd: ♪ As we build a new tomorrow ♪ ♪ Here tod-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ay ♪ David: “Well, that is intriguing... you know if the curse hadn’t happened and Regina didn’t destroy our castle, do you think what happened to Richard would’ve happened with us?” Snow White: (Not wishing to think about it:) “Oh be quiet, David!” David: (Watching her walk away:) “Touchy.”

Storybrooke. Granny's Diner. (Stopping by the diner for some takeout, Regina goes to place their order of two grilled cheese sandwiches while Emma spots Rumplestiltskin sitting alone in a booth.) Emma: "How many times have you glued that thing together over the years?" Rumplestiltskin: "More than I can remember. Certainly much more often now that Gideon's discovered his new favourite game of throwing his dinner across the room." Emma: "Hm. I shouldn't worry, he'll probably grow out of it in say ten or twelve years." Rumplestiltskin: (Chuckles, holding up the cup:) "I'll take this over raising a child with magical powers any day." Emma: "So you've heard." Rumplestiltskin: "It's a small town, Emma, and I make it my business to know what's going on with my granddaughter." Emma: (Sliding into the booth across from him:) "All right, Grandpa, what would you do about it?" Rumplestiltskin: "I'm not sure someone who spent centuries in pursuit of power would be your best choice for advice." Emma: "Oh I don't know. Despite what you claim, when you orchestrated the curse, you made me the Savior. Both Regina and I have our magic because of you." Rumplestiltskin: "That magic was inside each of you all along, I merely stoked the embers and fanned the flames." Emma: "Whatever. My point is you know how it feels to have your magic taken from you. Both as a child and an adult." Rumplestiltskin: (Nods:) "When my Savior powers were taken from me it lead me to the Darkness." Emma: "So, if it were Gideon, what would you do?" Rumplestiltskin: "Ah, well fortunately as you know, Belle and I have firsthand experience dealing with Gideon's magic. If you're looking for my honest opinion..." Emma: (Scoffs:) "No, lie to me." Rumplestiltskin: "Raise the child, not the problem. Even if you were foolish enough to strip Maria of her powers now, that doesn't mean she can't become an all powerful sorceress later. Just ask Morgana." Emma: "Yeah, I'll get right on that. Just as soon as she stops trying to kidnap my daughter." Rumplestiltskin: "All right, bad example, but you do have someone else in this ever-expanding family of ours who knows exactly what it's like to have their magic stamped out of them." (While waiting for Emma with their takeout order, Regina stands by another booth, this one occupied by the Blue Fairy.) Blue Fairy: "You know I couldn't help but overhear." Regina: "I'm sure you could if you tried." Blue Fairy: (Continues regardless:) "If you're worried about Maria's magical powers, you could always consider the convent? My sisters and I are-" Regina: "You seriously expect me to entrust the safety of my daughter to you? Disregarding the fact that you have never once helped or acknowledged my journey back from evil, I dread to think what you would do if Maria's magic turned out to be dark." Emma: (Taking Regina by the arm and guiding her from the diner:) "All right, time for us to go." Regina: (Over her shoulder to Blue:) "You'd no doubt send her to another realm like you did to the Black Fairy!" (They leave. Rumplestiltskin allows himself a chuckle while the Blue Fairy attempts to appear unaffected by Regina's words.)

Forest. (Morgana walks along a path towards a hut that is situated the middle of some trees. Inside, there is a man sitting at a desk. Morgana opens the door and enters. The man looks up to see who it is.) Sindri: “Who are you?” Morgana: “It matters not who I am, but what I want and whether you can give it to me.” Sindri: “And what is it that you want? (Morgana walks over and places a scrap of paper on the desk in front of him. Reading it:) Very particular, what you seek.” Morgana: “It has a very particular purpose. (Sindri looks up at her from a paper that he’s been looking over:) Well? Do you possess such a thing?” Sindri: “I do. (He stands up and walks over to a shelf that is next to Morgana. He pulls two vials off the shelf:) Here.” Morgana: “What are they?” Sindri: “Valerian and Henbane. (Morgana goes to reach for them:) Ah, these are…uncommon things. Hard to come by, hard to prepare… (Morgana hands him some gold and takes the vials. He counts the gold as she walks away:) Very generous, my lady, more than enough to buy my wares. But not my silence... Morgana.” (Morgana turns and tosses more coins on the floor. Sindri bends down and picks up the coins as Morgana exits.) Storybrooke. Main Street. (Walking back from the marina where they ate their lunch, Emma and Regina pass by Mr. Gold's Pawnbrokers. Peering through the window, Regina notes that the shop is almost empty.) Regina: "It looks abandoned in there. Belle and Rumplestiltskin must have done a good job returning items to their original owners." Emma: "I realise she's shady as hell, but Blue doesn't really deserve the blame for what happened in the past.” Regina: (Smiles, turns to her:) "I know. I'm pretty sure both Snow and Rumplestiltskin were factors in Blue's decisions back then. To be honest I'm more annoyed by Rumple still thinking he can manipulate me into doing his bidding." Emma: "Well he did, right? I mean, we ended up releasing Merlin partly because of him." Regina: "Yeah, and it pisses me off. (With a naughty glint in her eye:) So I say it's high time we got back at him." (Regina waves her hand over the handle and magically unlocks the door.) Emma: (When Regina gives her a knowing look:) "Oh no... you wanna fool around in the pawnshop?" Regina: (Smiles:) "It's not like anyone's gonna drop by anytime soon." Emma: "Yeah but still. Don't you think this is a bit of a stretch, even for us?" Regina: (Considers:) "Hm. I'll tell you what. You can either come inside here with me and we'll have some fun, or..." Emma: "Or?" Regina: "We can go cause a scandal at the convent. Your choice." Emma: (Looks at her then opens the door to the shop:) "After you, milady." Regina: (Smirks:) "Why thank you." (Looking around to make sure no one is around, Emma shakes her head before following Regina inside.)

Elsewhere In Storybrooke. (Marco sits down to talk with the Reporter.) Reporter: "So, Marco, as the town's handyman, you must have some stories to tell?" Marco: (Chuckles:) "You can say that again. Although, when I first arrived here during the curse, my days were very much the same. Filled with tasks that really anybody with a screwdriver could perform, from tightening hinges inside a cabinet to re-affixing letters to shop front displays." Reporter: "That sounds like it wasn't exactly taxing for a man of your abilities." Marco: "Oh, I was always happy to do it of course, but I craved something more." Reporter: "You were cursed to be miserable after all." Marco: "This is true. Then, after the curse was broken, there would be plenty more interesting repair work for me to sink my teeth into. Replacing smashed park benches from various car chases, rehanging street signs and of course, my most frequent job seems to be maintaining the clock tower, particularly the intricate glass work." Reporter: "Sounds like that kept you busy." Marco: "It was certainly a time consuming job. (Chuckles:) Pun intended. Ever since the realms were united, I've been busier than ever, travelling with my son August to places that need the services of a good carpenter." Reporter: "Would you say most of your business comes from other realms lately?" Marco: (Nods:) "That's fair to say, yes. Thankfully, most of the time I can return home to Storybrooke and enjoy my days when I'm not working. It seems the sort of property damage that used to happen isn't commonplace anymore."   Storybrooke. Mr. Gold's Pawnshop. Night. (Carrying a flashlight, Rumplestiltskin steps cautiously through the remains of his shop. Pointing the light in various directions, Rumple turns around quickly at the sound of footsteps.)

Regina: "Rumple, what the hell happened here?" Rumplestiltskin: "Precisely what I'd like to know." (He turns back around and continues searching the shop while Emma leans over to speak with Regina.) Emma: (Whispered:) "Did we do this?" Regina: "No, of course not." Rumplestiltskin: "What are you two whispering about?" Regina & Emma: (Innocently:) "Nothing!" Rumplestiltskin: (Giving them a curious look:) "Yeah well whoever did this wasn't playing around. They were definitely after something." Regina: (While Rumple ducks behind the shattered counter:) "But what? There was hardly anything in here left to take." Emma: "Least of all a comfortable mattress." Regina: "Shh!" Rumplestiltskin: "Damnit!" Regina: "Rumple? (Emma and Regina walk closer to him:) What is it?" Rumplestiltskin: (Groans and gets to his feet:) "It’s gone. (Slams his fist on the counter:) You see this is why I wanted you both to deal with Morgana when I asked you to. Now this has happened and we're screwed." Emma: "All right, enough with the blame game. Clearly you still had something gnarly here in your shop that you shouldn't have and someone's stolen it. So why don't you use your words and tell us what's missing?" Rumplestiltskin: "Something the likes of which is the precise reason I stayed out of Camelot all those years. Something that will shift the tide in Morgana's favour and put us all in danger."

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

[atopearth]

Ikemen Revolution Part 12 - Harr Silver Route

I have to admit that I'm not really interested in Harr, but omg, that CG of him kinda made me change my mind, like is he hotter and cuter than I thought?! He was actually looking pretty cute when he seemed to be shy after saving the heroine from some drunkards. Honestly though, I know they wanted to create an opportunity for the heroine to meet Harr, but how careless of Seth and Sirius to lose sight of her so fast lol. I don't want to say the heroine is dumb, but honestly, walking into dark alleyways is not what normal people do to look for people, and anyway after that, what if Harr and Loki saved her to get her trust lol, she so easily decided that she should ditch the Black Army "to protect them from people trying to get her powers" and left with Loki, someone she barely knows. Like sure, she barely knows the Black Army either, but at least they've been rather warm and welcoming, whereas, Harr is a "wanted criminal" lol. Well, I guess they needed to do that for them to bond, since it's not like Harr would bother kidnapping her even if he cares lol. Logically though, if Harr still hasn't been caught, this is probably a good hiding place for the heroine to stay until she can leave Cradle and go back home haha.

Hahahaha, I love how Harr was the one who forgot that he let her sleep in the bed of the storage room, and stumbles upon her changing out of her night gown in the morning. I think the most hilarious part was how Harr was more shocked and torn over it than she was, so she went to chase him back instead, I guess he's the real victim🤣 Aww Harr blushing when the heroine said welcome home and just kept staring at him was so cute lol. Lmao at how silly the heroine is, who randomly drinks a drink that suspiciously says "drink me" and really, she should probably just ask Loki or Harr if she's curious, but I guess she wouldn't run into silly situations if she did lol. I guess Harr just can't catch a break with the heroine here now. Loll that none of them thought that she would need clothes after Harr undid the magic that made her small enough, like that was literally the first thing I thought of lol. Why does it seem there’s so many coincidental silly situations for Harr in this route loll.

I can't believe the heroine just walked out of the magical barrier lolll, not that she knew, but Loki did tell her to stay close to the house and she's not on a picnic, she's hiding from people, so you would think she's less careless, but I guess everyone's been spoiling her too much lol. So I guess Harr knows Dalim well because he used to be one of the senior disciples in the Magic Tower? Harr is so thoughtful omg. Even after everything that happened, he's still encouraging her to go out to the lake so that she could at least fish or something instead of staying cooped up inside the house. He's so kind and understanding. HAHAHA I loved how Harr gave her a lollipop when she said she didn't want to sleep and wanted to spend time with him lmao. To be fair, all she's been doing is drinking hot chocolate and constantly barrage him with questions on how he's making those magic crystals like a little kid that wants attention, so I'm honestly not surprised he's treating her like a kid🤣🤣 Omg lmao when Harr and the heroine really agreed to Loki's wish for everyone to sleep together on the same bed hahahah, I guess they needed it since they all couldn't sleep though, but dang that CG of Harr putting the blanket over the heroine was so cuteeee~🥰

It's nice to see how happy and grateful Loki is about Harr picking him up back then and taking care of him, I guess they pretty much are parent and child haha. It's kinda cute how Harr just can't leave people like Loki and the heroine alone. I'm not surprised that Harr was mad when Loki and the heroine went out and didn't tell him anything! I would be so worried. Anyway, Harr in a suit is so hot but cute at the same time, I love it. It's nice how he's attending the ball just to make the heroine feel more safe and comfortable so she can have some happy memories of Cradle. Awww I love how Harr honestly doesn't need to put in effort, but he really goes the extra mile for the heroine by even asking her to dance at the ball, especially when he's so shy!! I also love how he kept reassuring her that no one was watching, so she just need to make sure she was having fun learning how to dance and enjoying it all. Although everything about Harr is pretty cute, I have no idea why he likes the heroine or feels particularly happy to be with her?

Well, Harr definitely looks better without the mask haha. Anyway, it was expected that his scar was from escaping the Magic Tower when he realised the crazy human experiments they were doing to extract the innate magic power from humans to make even greater magic crystals, but it was nice to see Harr express how sad and betrayed he felt when he went to Lancelot and Sirius (his best friends at the time) to tell them all about it, yet Lancelot said they were lies. Obviously Lancelot is like that because he needs a better opportunity and way to overturn the Magic Tower and its importance considering that even Harr can't deny how crucial it is to Cradle, but it must have really hurt to imagine Lancelot being in collusion with people like that. Honestly, Harr liking her because she is so bright and hopeful etc is so cliche (and I kinda rolled my eyes because c'mon, Loki is more of a shining light than she is lol, it's like the only difference is that she's a girl and from a different world than Cradle and that suddenly makes her more special to him), and I think the heroine is pretty bland right now as well, but it was cute when she leaned on his shoulder for comfort and he was good with it😆

Honestly, even though I'm not a fan of their supposedly budding relationship, I did like how smart Harr was to kiss her on the forehead to distract her so he could put her to sleep, and it's not like he was insincere about it either, he genuinely likes her enough to do that, but at the same time, he did it so he could leave her and Loki behind to fight against the Magic Tower himself. Anyway, I have no idea why Harr didn't lock Loki and the heroine in the house or something if he didn't want them to come interfere, like, wasn't putting them to sleep redundant then? I mean, I honestly doubt he thought he could defeat the Magic Tower in the time they would be asleep for lol, and I’m sure he could have created some barrier to keep them in there without restricting their freedom for getting food etc considering he’s one of the best magicians in Cradle.  Anyway, I guess it was nice to see the heroine do something in this route (protecting the Magic Tower from magic when Harr fought Amon to destroy the rest of his crazy magic crystal stock) but yeah, she's still childish😅 It was obvious that Harr became the leader of the Tower but anyway, seriously, that moment where Sirius told Lancelot and Harr to invite him along when they decide to catch up in the future, and they both looked at the shoulder Sirius touched when he said that just made my heart feel so warm! I think that little moment there topped any of the romantic moments between the heroine and Harr loll, just seeing the three of them so obedient and happy to be able to communicate like friends again was so sweet~🥰

Overall, I have to say, I really didn't like Harr's route lol. It's sad though, because I honestly really like Harr as a character, he's super shy, adorable, and kind! He's the type I can't help but adore which is why I liked how he was but I just think him and the heroine were....weird together. I don't know if it's just me, but I found the heroine really childish in this route, and definitely not the angel that fell from heaven to save Harr as he so thinks because not only was she pretty annoying and a lot of her lines were pretty cringe (could be a translation problem but I dunno). Anyway, her existence made me hate this route lol, like usually I can tolerate her but I'm not sure if I've had enough because I really couldn't for this one. Not only were the decisions she made really silly, the way she acted and somehow touched Harr's heart was pretty ridiculous because you can usually understand how the heroine is that light at the end of the tunnel thing but I honestly couldn't relate this time because rather than being that bright girl, it just seemed like her silliness and stupid actions made Harr feel like he needed to protect her etc and probably would have stressed most people lol. I honestly felt like Loki should have been the real light at the end of the tunnel for Harr because he was just as caring or even more, the only problem was that he's an LI and not a girl lol, but I honestly liked their relationship more than Harr's with the heroine because I just couldn't feel it. 

Surprisingly, I really loved Loki in this route, he was helpful, encouraging, a really great friend to both, and he definitely seemed to be more fun than in his own route lol. Anyway, when Harr gave her a lollipop, I could never really get past the fact that this scene was right, the heroine was more of a child than a romantic interest because she really never developed from then on, so yeah, that romantic ending was a bit weird when he seemed so into her, because I don't feel like his interest really makes sense. This is probably the route I least like right now lol, which is sad because I looked forward to Harr after realising he was actually pretty cute, sigh. I guess it's worth reading to see how sweet and nice Harr is, but other than that, I don't think the story was particularly fun or great.

#ikemen revolution

[mimir-anoshe]

💧&🔥

Just a bit of Cursed/Nimulot analysis… Cause I’m bored. And I might have found some interesting parallels/imagery watching it through for the 7 billionth time that I would love to share. If anyone enjoys writing meta… Which I mean I know some of y’all need your fix… Feel free to use anything/expand upon it. I would, but I’m a new fur-mumma and she’s taking up all my waking hours, so this little shit-post about this new hell hole of a ship I’ve dove headfirst into will have to do. The images are from a video and show produced by Netflix, I own nothing, so pls don’t be a bitch about it Tumblr.

***SPOILERS FOR THE SHOW!!! WATCH IT AND COME BACK!! OR DON’T? ANYHOO YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!!*** ⚠️  

- beware Tumblr app users, it may be your doom -

Where to begin, with the teaser? Or with…

THE SHOW! Here be just a wee few times the writers/director(s) through the writing/cinematography have mirrored these two ‘protect the kid - warriors till the end’ idiots. I’m sure others have picked up on them… Not in any particular order, here ya go anyway.

1x02 - 1x10

*Insert spiderman pointing at spiderman meme*

One scar made by an actual dark god tricking her when she was a child, the others by a very human evil tricking him when he was a child and the consequences for both lasting into adulthood.

1x02 - 1x10

Look at the years of trauma Anakin, look at it! They even use the same damn word! The phonetic tones of disgust! The outcast syndrome! Oof. (And it’s not like Nimue being called demon has to do with a general racial-slur from a human, that is a fey calling her that from her own village!) They both grew up viewing themselves as “demons”, the “abominations”. Even their expressions are the same, fear and sorrow and self-hatred. All they both want is to be accepted! (By their fathers especially). To be loved.

The two who are “cursed.”

1x02 - 1x01

*says nothing*

1x04 - 1x01

“Where to begin? With water or with fire?”

Where to begin? WHERE TO BEGIN??? *dies*

Water ☯ Fire

Sword up  ☯ Sword down

Light/Day  ☯  Dark/Shadow

Life & Death (Life around her, death in the water) ☯ Death & Life (forest fires make way for new growth)

Long bit: Both characters are associated to the elements of water and fire individually through the environment/cinematography/colour pallet/colour symbolism, and then water and fire is mirrored between them. She is overall water, he is overall fire; but they also have a bit of the other in each other.

For Nimue this symbolism is often done through her environment, showing her connection to nature as the fey queen and that she does not hide who she is if she can help it. She does not hide externally, so her elemental symbolism becomes EXTERNAL.

Whilst for Lancelot though he is often surrounded by fire, the idea of water/tears is either symbolised through the fairy tale style of the artwork or referenced for him through his name as “the weeping monk.” Hinted at in his characterisation of guilt and self-loathing, the way other characters respond to him (”the one who cries”/”you see it all through those weeping eyes”). His main conflict is an Internal fight between who he is and who he needs to become, so a lot of his main symbolism surrounding water (and even fire as pertaining to magic - ashfolk - and not killing fey) is INTERNALISED, hidden, cut off from the Hidden themselves. Symbolic of him hiding his connection to the fey and that other side of himself, the “human” (morally speaking) side, and therefore hiding who he truly is… Lancelot.

For Nimue, fire means life. Being chosen and her magic saving people. For Lancelot fire means Death, his deeds, “the fires of hell” and the destruction of the “ash” folk and his heritage. He believes hell fire is his fate, going by the “even if I am damned.”

For Nimue, water means death. In the water she takes revenge, where that Paladin almost drowned her. Into the water she falls, where they think her shot dead by arrows. The water is her fate as the Lady of the Lake. For Lancelot, water means life. Tears, emotions, taking responsibility, feeling the weight of his guilt and mourning for the things he has done/lost. For him, water - not ash -means a second chance to be better. To put out the fires and heal.

Though in the end, for both of them, water & fire most of all represent death and rebirth.

1x03

^If you don’t understand I can’t help you. ☯

1x01 - 1x07

Now this one I found quite interesting. Remember that even if Nimue directed the second one, it is still the Power/will of the Hidden at play. (Or should I say the will of the Writers/director) Chosen? Mirrors? Night and Day? Fire… Embers to Ashes? We shall see, but I think it was definitely on purpose.

^I’ll just leave that here, the fuckers kept missing each other for an entire season (WHICH WAS ON PURPOSE THE WRITERS DID THAT ON PURPOSE just as an fyi). The fact that there is this much sexual tension, anticipation, mirroring, fate, destiny and chemistry between two characters who have never even mET should be ILLEGAL! They affect each other immeasurably without ever even meeting, so imagine what will happen when they do...? *pterodactyl screech*

Whelp there ye go. Under the next gif I also did a bit on the Teaser trailer, as that just fucked me up a bit I have to tell you! Up to you whether you want to continue digesting my mad ramblings or not. *Shrug* Thanks for coming to my TED talk guys– 😂 Somebody fucking smite me down like the eldritch horror of writing I am dear god think of the children…

THE OFFICIAL TEASER TRAILER:

Arthur running for the Sword of Power, because you know, King Arthur.

“The Legend says…” The Legend of King Arthur and his Sword Excalibur/Caliburnus? The line is very meta, a reference to the in world legend that this story will create, but it’s also expecting the audience to be savvy of the actual legend of King Arthur and his knights. Both these ideas intertwined into one. Aka, the trailer expects us to have pre-decided expectations for the story we’re now being told, because we’ve already been told it before; this fairy tale of celtic myth/history. All the “spoilers” about Arthur, his lineage, Morgana, Guinevere, the Knights, even the lady of the Lake herself come with that knowledge. However…

Surprise surprise, the Weeping Monk (killer of fae)/ Lancelot (eventually Arthur’s most trusted KNIGHT) instead picks up the fae sword from it being embedded in the ground, subverting our expectation, it definitely fucking subverted mine, but not in a GOT way, in a ~good~ way. I was like, “Whosoever be this fine hooded fellow hath stole away both sword and my good sense!!! 👀”

Also harkening back to the legend of the sword in the stone (another expectation), which the action itself signifies that person be - as Merlin so eloquently puts - “The one true king.”

Ok… Symbolic wink wink nudge nudge towards his true nature (inside and out), saving Percival, potentially becoming the greatest warrior and protector of his people and eventually a Knight of the Round Table; and perhaps King of our Hearts??? Ok, sure thing “concept” trailer. I’ll bite.

Ok… *deep breath*

WHOMSt the fUCK decided to frame (fae “ashman”) ?Lancelot? with the ~SWORD OF KINGS~ (also of fae origin) A N D the line…‘the one true king’ ALL IN ONE… instead of Arthur?

‘BELONGS to the one true King?’ Belongs, hmm interesting word choice… This done in a worms eye view shot meant to make the viewer feel like the character is above/superior/basically we’re kneeling before them? (Which I mean sure? but…) Hmm??? HMMM??? I don’t understand CONCEPT Trailer what is the CONCEPT you’re trying to get across? One hand on his paladin sword and the other on “fae hope” Excalibur I get, he has to make an important decision, one that will either save his humanity (and his people) or destroy it (them), yeah yeah sure that’s F I N E…

…but what about the “KING” SHIT HMMM?? Is there something you would like to share with the rest of the class? *sips tea whilst staring straight into the camera*

it may mean nothing don’t quote me

…Anwaaaay… We all know in a fight Lancelot can kick Arthur’s ass so that’s not whats going on here. Arthur is P I S S E D. They’re not just bog standard enemies here. I mean WPM kicking him in the ribs was pretty “fuck you” and they were just enemies there. In this instance the sword is in play, Weeping Monk has taken something from Arthur that he feels “BELONGS” to him - in this case symbolised by WPM taking “his” sword - and that’s making it personal.

“You stole my sword ya bitch!” And what is the sword linked to? Power? Sure. The right of being a King? Yep. And also a certain Queen…  No no no, this is the Concept of rivalry. It shows that whatever relationship Arthur and his “Knight” will have in the future after all the “die die die” starts to sizzle down will - in its genesis - be a rivalry. Probably mirroring Gawain and Arthur when they first met to an extent. A rivalry for power? For something else? Who Knows!

*whistles innocently*

And down down down he goes. He’s FALLING. There are many metaphorical concepts associated to FALLING… Falling from “grace” (in the eyes of the Church)… Falling because he has a sky full of guilt crashing down upon him… falling for h… falling in Lo… into the Water!!!! Until he is completely submerged. Water, the idea of cleansing, of washing away who you once were/trauma/sins of the past so you may be reborn a better version of yourself. His old ideals are defeated, he submits to his true heritage and allows it to wash around him so he may begin to heal.

Though if we’re talking metaphors, water is - for obvious reasons - always associated with the LADY OF THE LAKE… Nimue. He has fallen into her world. (pss he’s gonna fall for the Chick in the Lake - I think - there ye go). Water is associated to memory/reflections and mirrors. And he is CRASHING through this mirror… This idea of reflections/mirror images is even more ironic when you’ve watched the show.  

And as he falls beneath the water with the sword of a King, she rises out of it, with the sword of a Queen… Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s in the biggest shipping hell of them all? Either these two are going to be really good at relay, or there’s some conceptual significance here. The specifics? No fecking clue, will need to wait for a season 2! There is also some interesting use of Z~oo~m in this last bit, but I’m sure it’s pretty obvious to you all. Summary: just visually in a concept “teaser” trailer, the zoom in on them both, the reverse mirroring, the literal and symbolic visual of water and the Sword (of rulers) connecting them frames these two characters together, that’s just in the concept trailer. Links their legend together. TBH IT LITERALLY LOOKS LIKE LANCELOT FELL INTO THE WATER AND TURNED INTO NIMUE  WHAT IS THIS GREEK SOULMATE SHIT I’M–

*calms down* This trailer and the show also definitely said to the original Arthurian Legend “RIP but I’m different.” I mean, Nimue is definitely not Lancelot’s mother figure in this one, that’s all I’m saying.

I think this legend might be a wee bit different 😉*cackles*

#nimulot #nimulot meta #nimue x the weeping monk #nimue x weeping monk #cursed spoilers #nimue x lancelot #my meta #mad mimir meanderingly mumbles #Tumblr is my only escape for this - I wouldn't go near twitter with a thousand foot pole if my life depended on it #where to begin? I don't think I'll ever get over that line - I die every time #my pupper was literally like 'mum what the fuck are you doing writing this shit give me LOVES' #also Nimue owns my heart if Lancelot doesn't marry her I'm going to thanks BYE #my shitty humour~~

[elysiumwaits]

Hey! For the 100 ways to say I love you prompts, I’d love to see what you’d do with no. 89 - “I noticed.” For Sterek, Stucky or Merthur, whichever speaks to you. Thank you!😊

I went with Merthur. I shot for 500 words and ended up with 1200 instead, which is pretty par for the course for me. Also, I don’t know anything about marriage or relationship customs in Camelot so I made it all up. 

In which it suddenly occurs to Arthur that, in this day and age, he is allowed to love Merlin the way he wants to.

Your Warming Smile on AO3

Rated G, no real warnings apply, but tags are: Arthur Comes Back, Love Confessions, Marriage Proposals, Fluff, Light Angst, Discussions of Past Relationships, Past Gwen/Arthur

Arthur adjusts to modern life with all the grace of a toddler learning how to use a spoon. That is to say, it’s a necessary thing, but it’s painful for everyone involved thanks to the mess and general frustration. It helps that he’s actually a remarkably smart and competent person, despite all that Merlin’s ever said otherwise, so he adapts to the new structures of society very quickly, even if it takes a little longer to get him to understand things like electricity or the merits of cars over horses. 

He likes the iPhone Merlin gets him, especially after Merlin puts all of the Angry Birds games on it. Once Merlin teaches him how to use Wikipedia and YouTube, Merlin’s job of explaining how things work is pretty well done. Arthur will still ask him to explain certain things, but for the most part, they both figure out rather quickly that the Internet has far more patience for explanation than Merlin does. 

It’s after Merlin’s gotten home from the shops, bags in hand, when Arthur follows him into the kitchen, phone in hand. Merlin’s not bothered - sometimes Arthur watches something and needs some context, or finds a gaming channel and mistakes it for actual events (honestly, it was a little heartbreaking telling Arthur that Skyrim was not a real place). Besides, after centuries being alone, Merlin is finding it hard to balance time-with-Arthur and time-without-Arthur because, if given the choice, he’d never have any time-without-Arthur at all. 

“Men can marry each other?” is what Arthur says, though, instead of any of the questions Merlin was expecting. 

Merlin very carefully doesn’t drop the milk. They’ve talked about it in passing, and Arthur’s never been a bigot, even back in Camelot when it wasn’t something that was necessarily talked about openly. People were gay, of course, people have always been gay, but it was never mentioned, just… accepted. Arthur had mentioned a couple of nobles who had married, produced a single heir, and then spent the rest of their natural lives enjoying time with their ‘best friends’ instead. 

In this day and age, Merlin had simply told Arthur it was more openly accepted now, that couples like that were at least not illegal anymore, even if they did face such things as violence and bigotry. All Arthur had said was that ‘no one should be hunted for loving someone, that’s absurd,’ with a strange look on his face. Merlin had quickly changed the subject, after that, not wanting to remind Arthur of Guinivere or anyone else they’d lost.

All this to say that Merlin really has no idea where the intensity in Arthur’s expression is coming from. 

“Yes?” Merlin says as he puts the milk in the fridge. “And women can marry women? It’s a fairly recent development, actually, I think.” He screws up his nose and tries to think - time is strange for an immortal sorcerer after all. He doesn’t think getting into the spectrums of gender and sexuality will do any good here either, so he’ll probably leave that for another day. “Let’s see, homosexuality was decriminalized here in the late 1960s, and then marriage was made legal, what, five years ago? I told you it wasn’t illegal anymore, Arthur.”

“It wasn’t illegal in Camelot.” Arthur waves the phone, and just generally looks bewilderingly upset. “Magic was! Divorce was… not illegal, but hard. Adultery was illegal.”

Merlin puts the rest of the bags on the counter - there’s nothing cold in them, they’ll keep - and turns to give Arthur a confused look. “I really don’t know where you’re going with this. Marriage laws haven’t really applied to me, so I haven’t paid much attention.”

“I was already married by the time I figured it out!” 

“Figured what out?” 

Arthur takes a deep breath and shoves the phone in his pocket. “I noticed, Merlin.”

“You’re not making any sense.” Merlin shakes his head a little, goes to head past Arthur and back into the living room to take off his jacket. 

As he passes, though, Arthur grabs him by the arm and drags him back those few steps, until Merlin is once again against the counter. This time, though, Arthur’s got him trapped by bracing his hands on the countertop on either side of Merlin. He could shove Arthur out of the way easily enough, of course, they’re both long-past thinking Merlin is harmless or weak. 

“I noticed,” Arthur says, quiet and intense. “But I was married, and I loved her, too. Not… not the way she loved Lancelot, or the way that I felt about… but I still made vows.”

Merlin swallows as he realizes all at once what Arthur is talking about. “I never…” he trails off, looks everywhere but Arthur’s face. “I never expected anything from you, I never would have wanted you to be unfaithful. I wouldn’t have asked that of you. I wouldn’t have done that to Gwen.”

“Did you know, though? Did I ever…” Arthur places his fingers on Merlin’s chin, tilts Merlin’s face back so that he’s looking at Arthur once more. “Merlin, tell me you haven’t gone all this time thinking that I didn’t… that your feelings were unrequited.”

Merlin did enough lying back in Camelot, he says, and so he won’t lie to Arthur now. It’s damn tempting, though. “I didn’t let myself think about it for a long time, certainly not while you were alive. It didn’t seem fair to either of us to dwell on it. Your friendship was enough for me.”

“You’re a better man than I ever was or will ever be.” Arthur still sounds distressed, but his hand is still on Merlin’s jaw. “What about now, Merlin? Have all the years… changed anything?”

Merlin is struck dumb for a moment. Arthur looks like Merlin’s never seen him, an almost desperate longing in his eyes, and Merlin wonders about Arthur noticing all those centuries ago. What had he seen? Every little act of love Merlin had done? A light in Merlin’s eye? Every single moment that Merlin had forced himself not to read too much into?

“No,” he finally manages to choke out. “No, you idiot, of course nothing’s changed. I still love you, I always will.” 

Arthur nods, slowly at first like he’s thinking, and then once more, decisively. Merlin’s still not sure how they got here from whatever article or video Arthur had stumbled onto, but he finds he doesn’t much care when Arthur suddenly surges forward and kisses him, like he’s been waiting to do it forever, like he’s never wanted anything more. 

“You’ll marry me, right?” Arthur asks once he’s kissed Merlin within an inch of his life, until Merlin was practically begging for oxygen or mercy or for Arthur to never stop. 

“I’m not sure either of us technically exist in the legal system here,” Merlin says, breathless. “And it’s awfully rude of you to propose without a ring.”

“We’ll do one of those Druid weddings.” It sounds like a promise when Arthur says it. “You’re a Druid, right? I’ll get a ring.”

“I don’t know if I can officiate my own wedding!” Merlin laughs, head spinning. “What are you talking about? We’re living the rest of our immortal lives together, I don’t think an official marriage is going to do much to change that.”

Arthur snorts, but there’s an insufferably pleased twinkle in his eye. “Well, excuse me, I’ll try to reign in my feelings of devotion,” he says, and presses another quick kiss to Merlin’s lips. He pulls away again, and adds, seriously, “I love you.”

“I noticed,” Merlin says with a cheeky grin, and Arthur rolls his eyes before leaning in to kiss him again.

#merthur #this became more of a dialogue prompt than anything #but the words do what they want i'm just the vessel #fanfiction

[thetwistedclocks]

so like,,,, couldn’t focus and did this instead

- time for a hunting trip or patrol or whatever everyone’s there and alive we got the whole gang: arthur, leon, percival, elyan, gwaine, lancelot, and merlin

-this is an au so gwen and lancelot just are together and there was no drama with arthur

- gorgeous day, kinda hot though so they decide to stop for lunch and fuel up

- le bandits sneak up on them, and attack

-everything is just like a typical fight, everybody but merlin is whirling around, doing their thing

-merlin is behind a tree, doing little stuff to make sure no one is wounded badly or killed

-our shining knights wipe everyone out, just a ton of bloody bodies scattered around the clearing except they missed one

-this little rat sneaks up behind merlin and he’s got a knife poised to kill merlin

- arthur yells desperately for merlin to move, he cannot lose him not after morgana, not after his father, no no no 

- merlin whips around to defend himself, but he has no weapons, everyone else is too far away to help, and without thinking he blows the man back twenty feet, where he hits a tree and dies 

- everyone is frozen in place

-merlin slowly turns around to see arthur because oh shit

- arthur says no in a strangled, desperate voice

- arthur’s face contorts and he then starts to scream: how could you, you lying bastard, i trusted you, you were my best friend

- gwaine preemptively moves towards merlin, fearing for merlins safety

- lancelot does the same

-merlin just quietly says im sorry and then whirlwinds out of there but lancelot and gwaine were close enough to get sucked in with him

-the trio lands in a forest pretty far away from camelot, and merlin just curls up into a ball

-gwaine and lancelot look at each other and merlin in shock and have a silently mouthed conversation above merlin’s head

- Gwaine: what the fuck Lancelot: shit ok did you know Gwaine: I kinda had some idea but I never dug too deep into it, did you know? lancelot: yes, he saved my life by killing the griffin with magic Gwaine: so what now Lancelot: I guess we’re fugitives with him now Gwaine: he’s not gonna move for a bit, we need to take care of him until he recovers Lancelot: agreed, lets find shelter for the night

- and they do they just build a fire and make sure merlin’s warm and has some water but he refuses food

-back with arthur the remaining knights suggest going after the trio but arthur shuts them down, hes not letting himself show any emotion

-they ride back to camelot, everyone finds out, gaius is just broken at this cause he cant see merlin or help him anymore, gwen decides to leave camelot without telling anyone to search for her best friend and love, she forgives merlin but wants an explanation, arthur turns in on himself and closes himself off, hes curt and cold, the other knights just dont talk about it though they each slowly forgive the trio over a long period of time

-after a week of no talking, merlin finally speaks to gwaine and lancelot and says: “lets go back home, I can face arthur, and you two can rejoin the knights

-they immediately refuse, saying that they trust and love merlin, and they chose to stay with him

-merlin brings up gwen in hopes to convince at least lancelot but he says its safer for her in camelot and he trusts he’ll see her again someday

-merlin just cant argue anymore, hes tired, and mourning everything he’s lost

-in the morning, they decide well we gotta live somewhere so they figure out where they are, which is western camelot on the very edge at the foot of a mountain range that marks camelot’s border

-they set up a little cabin just outside a nearby village and live their lives

-pretty soon, after occasionally being in the village for supplies, the villagers get suspicious and ask them questions

- they just so happen to catch merlin, who’s a terrible liar, and he blurts out hes a healer

-this village has 0 healers so they start to bring their sick to merlin, who heals them for free, which results in lots of gifts of food and other stuff

-gwaine and lancelot start teaching sword fighting to keep themselves sharp and help out the village

-things are chill like this for a few months

-gwen is still wandering around, learns a bit about magic, and is just traveling through western camelot, hoping to find the trio

-back in camelot, arthur is cracking down on magic

-he isn’t killing people, but anyone found guilty of magic or anything is locked away in these cells uther had made under the regular dungeon out of sorcerers’ bones that contains magic, its like a second purge, just without the executions

-gwen knows this and wants merlin to come back and stop arthur

-lancelot and gwaine slowly gets merlin’s entire story out of him, and see him as a leader now

-merlin is quieter, more reserved, and rarely uses magic at all

-one time this little girl, maybe 10, is brought to merlin wiht a weird set of symptoms

-merlin immediately knows shes developing magic, so he sends the parents away, promising he will heal her, and then he tells her

-she is scared of not being abole to control her new powers but isnt scared of having the magic itself, and tells merlin that her parents are ok with magic too

-the next day he meets with her family, and they discuss it, and eventually, they all decide that he can train her

-so like a few weeks go by of this, and then another person comes to merlin

-this time its an older woman and she wants to learn how to control her magic

-pretty soon merlin is training a lot of people and gets a reputaion

-gwaine and lancelot are worried about how little he sleeps, and how little he talks about the past, they cant help him though

-gwen hears about this village, where magic is celebrated, and finds it

-she arrives, and runs into gwaine, who takes her hand and runs shouting throught the village back to the cottage where lancelot is training 

-happy reunion yay

-she and merlin talk, she gets his full story, and he is just a little happier knowing that she’s there but he also finds out about whats going on in camelot

-in camelot, all of the knights just dont talk to arthur anymore, for fear of his verbal abuse

-hes crushed that gwen is gone too, and feels that he has been abandoned 

-more and more magic users flock to this village until rumors reach all the way back to camelot

-arthur orders a raid, he orders no killing

-he doesn’t lead it, but eventually, 20 knights or so attack the village

- a lot of magic users are taken, and a few people killed in fires set by the knights

-merlin feels responsible and decides that his merry band of misfits needs to be safer and a whole lot more defended

-so he and a majority of the village move into the mountains

-merlin is now the accidental leader of a rebel camp

-its called camp maxia(magic in galcian/gaelic) and its inhabitants maxians

-years go by, as the camp grows with refugee families and those from villages attacked by bandits because the knights are all out looking for magic users and not protecting anybody

-merlin, with his right hands gwaine, lancelot, and gwen run maxia as a safe place for everyone, and he creates a name for himself as lord maxia to protect his real identity

-arthur knows about maxia, obviously, but doesn’t have the forces to take it down

- during this time gwen and lancelot have this huge wedding, very magical, and very nature themed

- so arthur has most knights out around camelot, and morgana knows this, she joins forces with cenred and takes camelot with ease

-arthur, leon, percival, and elyan get out together

-percival suggests going to lord maxia for help, as he’s got quite a sizable force and has been kind to camelot in not attacking them

-arthur immedietly shuts him down 

-they camp outside of the city for about a week, a couple civilians find them and tell arthur whats happening in camelot

-morgana is starving the people and killing those who act up

-arthur still loves his people, more than he hates magic

-so he agrees to go to lord maxia

-arthur, leon, percival, and elyan set out with the few civilians; the knights are each secretly hoping to see merlin at camp maxia, arthur is secretly terrified of that happening

-they’re picked up by a maxia patrol and held in a makeshift cell until lord maxia accepts them into the camp, cause they’re wearing camelot stuff 

-merlin is told of a group from camelot in the cells and knowing of camelot’s state immedietly send gwen and lancelot to meet them

- they expect a few knights and prepare to ask how they can help take back camelot

-when they see its elyan, arthur, leon, and percival they have the civilians released and cared for and sit down to talk to them

-arthur wont look at them, so leon speaks, and talks about whats been happening

-gwen offers maxia’s help, and lancelot says that planning would be a lot easier if they weren’t in a cell, and asks if they want to be processed into camp maxia

-the processing entails a quick truth potion along the lines of veritiserum 

-leon says he couldnt speak for the whole group, so lancelot says its a personal choice

-percival volunteers first, and then the other knights agree to it as well

-arthur is silent, but livid

-the knights are processed, and meet merlin, and for a night they all have a meal together and its almost normal 

-in the morning, merlin goes to see arthur, except he conceals his identity

-they talk, arthur is bitter, merlin is cryptic

-after a few days arthur realizes that in order to help his people he needs to set his anger aside and is processed

-merlin, identity still hidden, administers the test

-under this truth potion, arthur is honest about his views on magic in ways he didnt even realise

-merlin keeps his identity hidden for the planning, much to everyone’s dismay, but they respect his decision

-an attack on camelot is planned

-arthur at this point is slowly trusting knights again, and gwaine, lancelot, and gwen

-they ride for camelot, with camp maxia’s army

-the knights, including lancelot and gwaine, are with arthur and merlin, who’s identity is still hidden

-gwen leads the medical group behind them

-the battle begins, fought by merlin’s men against cenred’s army

-morgana threatens to kill the imprisoned sorcerers 

-arthur and merlin, still hidden, fight their way to the throne room

-its just them and morgana and the sorcerers

-arthur is thrown by morgana into the sorcerers

-then its down to merlin to stop her

-so they fight, a big badass magical fight scene 

-merlins cover is blown, hes hurt, looks like hes losing

-arthur is flipping out because its merlin and he forgot how much he missed him

-merlin is about to be stabbed by a magical bolt from morgana and arthur just screams merlin’s name

-merlin hears this and needs to live so he can talk to arthur so he defeats morgana

-battles over, people are freed

-merlin is chilling on top of the castle when arthur comes up

-they talk, for a long long time

-when they come down, merlin is forgiven, but not trusted, and magic is now not illegal

-merlin is made the court sorcerer, lancelot and gwaine knights, and gwen is a lady too cause she’s married to lancelot

-the foursome is now part of the round table and camp maxia is disbanded, no longer needed, and becomes a city at the foot of the mountains

-the knights can protect villages now

-all is right, except merlin and arthur still have this great distance

-gaius retires and just chills in merlins tower

-one time he’s out doing something important and arthur breaks his leg in training

-hes brought to merlin, who very very quietly asks if he can heal arthur using magic

-arthur agrees, and he sees merlin use good magic for the first time ever 

-this breaks down a barrier

-arthur visits merlin and talks about matters of state

-eventually just his day

-and then he trusts merlin again

-they become best friends once more

-then one night at a ball, merlin is being flirted with by a very attractive knight

-arthur gets really possesive and jealus

-he grabs merlin’s arm and tugs him away, saying something about court matters

-he dragsmerlin back to his room, huffy and angry, not letting go of his arm

-merlin asks what they need to talk about, and he doesn’t get an answer

-next he asks gently whats wrong

-at this point they’re at arthur’s chambers

-there’s no gaurds, they’re at the ball

-he tugs merlin into his room and just glares at him

-merlin is confused and asked what he did wrong, scared to lose arthur again

-arthur just groans and looks away and mumbles something about nothing

-merlin walks over, puts his hand on arthurs back, and says: “well its clearly not, tell me whats going on.”

-arthur just stays quiet

-merlin persists: “arthur please dont shut me out like this”

-arthur suddenly pins merlin to the door

-he just growls, “dont flirt with him”

-merlin is very confused and kinda scared because hes always loved arthur but arthur definitely doesn’t never ever in a million years feel the same way

-he quietly says why not

-arthur just. stares at him. “are you serious?”

-”yes?”

-and arthur just does the whole possesive door kiss thing

-merlin got a light bulb

-a few months later they’re married

-merlin is crowned king

-the end

just, random idea thats been bouncing around. should it be a fic?

#merlin fic #merthur #writing #arthur #merlin #gwen #gwaine #lancelot #gwen x lancelot #idk that ship name

[stahlop]

Once Upon a Time 2x03 “Lady of the Lake”

Reviews 1x01 1x02 1x03 1x04 1x05 1x06 1x07 1x08 1x09 1x10 1x11 1x12 1x13 1x14 1x15 1x16 1x17 1x18 1x19 1x20 1x21 1x22 2x01 2x02

So we officially have three different storylines going now. Past EF, current EF, and Storybrooke. Thank goodness the characters can only be in two at once. We are introduced to Lancelot, who unfortunately is Cora in disguise. And we get to see the utter heartbreak of Mary Margaret seeing the life she never got to have with her daughter. But we also get to see Emma completely out of her element and try killing an Ogre with a gun (ha). This episode has so much to unpack so this is a really long review.

Summary: In the past, Snow and Charming have a wedding ceremony for Ruth before she dies. In the EF the Princess Squad goes to Snow’s castle to see if they can use the wardrobe as a portal to get back to Storybrooke. In Storybrooke, Henry really wants to help David work out how to get Emma and Mary Margaret back home and also helps Jefferson reunite with his daughter.

Opening: Lancelot in armor.

New Characters:

Lancelot: I’m only going to talk mainly about past Lancelot, since current Lancelot was really Cora masquerading as him. We first hear about Lancelot as the new general that George has hired. He’s nicknamed Leviathan because he ‘attacks like a monster striking from the depths of the sea;  you never see him coming and you never survive.’ Okay, a leviathan is usually a sea creature, but how that applies to Lancelot is beyond me. Is he attacking from water? This is Lancelot’s path to redemption, both from being ousted from the Round Table over a woman, and  accidentally letting George ‘curse’ Snow with infertility. He switches sides to let Snow know that George has sent men to kill Charming’s mother. Unfortunately, they arrive too late as she’s already been struck by a poisonous arrow. Charming remembers the healing properties of Lake Nostos so they journey there. The lake is dried up, but Lancelot, who was raised by the water, says you just need to know where to look to find water. He manages to find the one shell in the entire lake and it just happens to have some water in it. Just enough for a sip. Lancelot puts it in Charming’s flask. After Ruth drinks the water and it doesn’t work, she hands the flask back to Lancelot and gives him a look. You have to look closely to see it, but this is when you know that she’s signaling for Lancelot to get that water to Snow somehow. Snow and Charming decide to hold an impromptu wedding before Ruth dies and Lancelot performs the ceremony. He not only pours the water from the flask into a cup for them drink from, but even manages to slip in a little bit about the Holy Grail and it giving eternal life. He hopes the love between them will always be strong, true, and eternal. They bury Ruth at the cottage and Snow discovers she will have a child. She figures out Lancelot knew that Ruth didn’t drink it and had him put it in the wedding cup for her to drink. Lancelot plays it off as if he has no idea what Snow is talking about. His redemption has been fulfilled. 

We are introduced to Lancelot as the leader of the Safe Haven in the present EF, but we find out that Cora killed him years ago and has been pretending to be him. So, presumably, no one in the Safe Haven ever met the real Lancelot.

Character Observations:

Snow/Mary Margaret: We have a great juxtaposition in this episode of Snow’s desire to be a mother and seeing it snatched away, with Mary Margaret figuring out how to be a mother to a grown daughter since being her mother as a child was snatched away. It seems as though we might finally get to see some of battle Snow again, as she and Charming are planning on taking back the castle from King George (can you technically take a castle back from someone that is the ruler? Isn’t what they’re doing is staging a coup?), but instead we get resigned Snow for most of the episode. Red warns them about the new general and Snow wonders just how close George’s army is, which is when an arrow shoots their tent right onto their battle plans. Charming makes the decision to have him and Snow split up, which means she gets captured by Lancelot pretty much right away. She is brought to George and she immediately tells him she won’t give up Charming to him. But George is calm and just asks Lancelot to give her some water. George goes on and on about his losses. Losing James, losing his wife, and knowing his wife had been cursed to never bear children. And now Snow will suffer the same fate with Charming. Snow realizes the water’s been poisoned, or ‘cursed’ as George puts it. Now she’ll never be able to have a family with Charming. The guards throw Snow back into the forest where Lancelot comes looking for her. Snow takes this opportunity to knock him off his horse and almost bashes his face in, until Lancelot tells her that George has sent guards to the cottage to kill Charming’s mother. By the time they get there, Ruth has already been hit by a poisoned arrow. On the way to Lake Nostos Snow is taking care of Ruth. She’s thanking Snow for giving Charming something to believe in and says that Charming has always dreamed of having a family, which upsets Snow. And, of course, Ruth has some pendant that’s supposed to tell you the gender of your first born even before you’ve conceived and wants to see what Snow and Charming will have. Snow tries to dissuade her and Ruth realizes why when she finally gives in and the pendant doesn’t swing. Snow is close to tears now. She relates to Ruth what King George did to her. Ruth says that if the waters from Lake Nostos can heal her, it should break the curse on her as well. But unfortunately, as we learn, Lake Nostos has dried up. Charming manages to find a tiny sip of water in a shell. Ruth wants Snow to drink it but Snow doesn’t want her to die. Ruth tells her that parents always put their children first and that she’ll understand someday, but Snow won’t let her. She was raised without a mother, she wouldn’t know how to be one anyway. And that’s so heartbreaking and total BS. That’s even more reason why Snow should want a chance to be a mother. Ruth ends up ‘drinking’ the water to appease Charming. Ruth tells Snow to have faith, they’ll find another way. Ruth is still dying though, and she wishes she could live to see Charming and Snow marry. Snow decides they’ll have an impromptu wedding with Lancelot as officiant. Ruth dies and they bury her by the cottage. Snow is so sorry that Charming lost his last bit of family, but he says he has her, which brings the guilt back up. She tries to tell him about the curse when he brings out that darn pendant again, but then it starts to swing, and Snow is ecstatic that they will have a child someday. So yeah, all that BS you were giving Ruth before Snow was just to hide your own hurt. Of course you wanted a child someday, you just never thought you could have it. Now you’re so close to being with your true love and having a kingdom again after being on the run for so long. Lancelot asks what the pendant predicted the child will be and Snow tells him it will be a girl.

Mary Margaret: She is more Snow than meek Mary Margaret now. She is taking charge of things and she’s getting to play mom to Emma, even if Emma doesn’t appreciate it yet. Mary Margaret is still out at the start of the episode, but the minute she wakes up she is on the defensive when she sees Cora. She tells Emma that Regina is bad but Cora is much worse. I love how she immediately goes all mama bear and puts herself between Cora and Emma to protect he from Cora. Because that’s what parents do. Emma wants to hear her out and lets slip about Henry and who he is to Regina. Mary Margaret tells her to stop talking to her, but before anyone can say anything else, a rope is dropped in and they’re told their leader wants to speak to them. Mary Margaret is mad that Emma isn’t listening to her and Emma thinks Mary Margaret doesn’t trust her. Mary Margaret reminds her that this is her land and she knows its dangers. Emma takes this to mean that Mary Margaret thinks she’s helpless in the EF and that’s why she came after her in the portal. Mary Margaret is a little sad that Emma thinks that. No, she just wanted to be with her. Snow is ecstatic to find Lancelot running the Safe Haven. They eat and Mary Margaret questions him about how they are there as the land was supposed to be torn apart. Lancelot doesn’t know, just that an area of land was untouched by the curse. Snow wants to know if Lancelot can help them find a portal so they can get back to SB. Lancelot doesn’t want them to leave citing that it’s unsafe and the Ogres have returned. Emma confuses Ogres with Giants and Mary Margaret is a tad bit condescending when correcting Emma, but then tells Lancelot she may know where a portal is. Mary Margaret doesn’t want to say where though because Cora is near. Lancelot says the curse stripped her of her powers and because of her reputation, she’s been locked up. Lancelot will only let them go find the portal if they take Mulan with them. Emma gets defensive about it but Mary Margaret takes the deal. Mary Margaret takes a bow and arrows when they’re grabbing weapons for the journey. Mulan is telling them to follow her lead and tread carefully when Emma reveals that she killed a dragon last week. Mary Margaret look slightly stunned at this. Part of her mama bear instincts telling her she should have been there to help her. Mulan makes some over the top statement about the Ogres and you can just see Mary Margaret rolling her eyes in the background, it’s hilarious. Mary Margaret lets Emma know she won’t let anything happen to them. Emma wants to know what the plan is and Mary Margaret reveals they’re going to see if the wardrobe still works. She tries to sound cheerful as she tells Emma they’re going home, but you can also hear the pain in her voice and that she’s slightly scared to see what’s become of her castle. They get to a clearing and decide to camp for the night. Emma questions them starting a fire if Ogres are around but Mary Margaret tells her that Ogres are blind. She tells Emma, in her best teacher trying to avoid conflict voice, that Emma should guard the campsite. Mary Margaret is gathering firewood when Aurora comes up behind her and holds a knife to her throat. She takes back control of the situation pretty easily because Aurora knows nothing about battle. Mary Margaret tells her she is not responsible for Phillip’s death, she’s trying to get back to her own love, and to channel her anger somewhere else. Mulan pulls Mary Margaret off of Aurora and says she’ll deal with her and then Emma comes in, sees the struggle and shoots her gun, alerting an Ogre. Emma doesn’t deal with the Ogre very well, but Mary Margaret shots it in the eye with an arrow (the only way to kill it apparently), and she is stone cold when doing it. Fierce warrior mama for the win! Emma is impressed since Mary Margaret hasn’t shot an arrow in 28 years. Mary Margaret is happy that she’s impressed, but at the same time, reminds Emma to listen to her. They get to the castle and into the nursery where the wardrobe is. Mary Margaret is close to tears (me too) as she sees everything she missed out on with Emma. All the hopes and dreams Regina destroyed with the curse. She says they never got to be a family (and she’s clutching a teddy bear the whole time). Emma says their family is in Storybrooke. Mary Margaret wants to bring the wardrobe back to the Safe Haven, and luckily, Lancelot shows up right then. He claims he heard about the Ogre attack and came to check on them. He’s very impressed by the portal and Mary Margaret is getting suspicious. He says he just wants to help them get home to her husband and Henry. Mary Margaret immediately draws her sword, freaking out Emma. Mary Margaret says Lancelot isn’t who he says he is. She only told one person her son’s name. Emma correctly guesses this is Cora. She transforms into her real self and tells them she killed Lancelot a long time ago. Cora uses her magic to trap Mary Margaret against the wall and thrown Emma down. Mary Margaret is frightened, she probably thinks this is it, and she just got her family back. While Cora monologues about wanting to see her daughter and grandson, Emma manages to start a fire in the wardrobe. Cora draws it out and goes to throw the fireball at Emma, but Mulan lobs it back into the wardrobe with her sword. Cora poufs away and Mary Margaret is free, but the wardrobe is burning. Mulan is berating herself for not knowing Lancelot was Cora in disguise (how would she know, she’s apparently never met the real Lancelot) and wants to know what they’ll tell their people. Mary Margaret says the truth, that he was killed by a villain and he died an honorable death. She’s so mad that she even has to tell Mulan to say that. Mulan wants Mary Margaret to lead the kingdom in Lancelot’s death. Mary Margaret is honored, almost speechless, but she needs to get back home. Mulan says she and Aurora will help them. Emma apologizes for torching the wardrobe, but Mary Margaret says she did what she had to for Henry. She understands that sacrifice. Emma starts talking about how she grew up with nothing and Mary Margaret goes on the defensive, until Emma says she now understands that she gave up everything for her. Mary Margaret smiles, because she’s been trying to get Emma to understand this, and seeing how much they wanted her has finally opened Emma’s eyes to that. Emma cries that she’s not used to someone putting her first, and you can see how hurt Mary Margaret is about this statement. She hugs Emma and tells her resolutely (but also with tears in her eyes) that she needs to get used to it. Mama Bear will always be there for Emma. They go to leave and Mary Margaret turns back to get her bow and arrows and sees the nursery how it was before the curse, complete with the sounds of a happy baby. And that’s when she finally breaks down having been so strong for Emma throughout this whole journey. And I’m about to cry just writing this. 

Emma: She has lived her life always feeling out of place, so I can imagine, having finally fit into somewhere (Storybrooke), and then your whole world turning upside down (curse breaking) and then finding yourself in an entirely new world would put you on the defensive like Emma is throughout most of this episode. Emma is talking with Cora, who does admit to being Regina’s mother, but says the apple fell very far from the tree. Mary Margaret wakes up and tells Emma that Cora is much worse than Regina ever was. Emma wants to hear her out and talks about Henry and his connection to Regina, and Mary Margaret is getting angrier at Emma for not listening. Luckily, a rope comes down to break the tension. Mary Margaret is sternly telling Emma to listen to her and Emma is being stubborn as a donkey by saying that Mary Margaret doesn’t trust her. She thinks Mary Margaret thinks she’s helpless and that’s why she came in to the portal after her. Mary Margaret is a little offended, but lets her know she wanted to be with her. Emma gives a cute little half smile because someone wants to be with her. Emma and Mary Margaret are eating with Lancelot and Emma doesn’t say much in this scene, but her facial expressions are hilarious as she tastes things. She thinks whatever she’s drinking is okay. When the subject of Ogres is brought up, Emma confuses them with Giants. To be fair, who knew she’d need to know the difference? Mary Margaret brings up that she may know where a portal is and Emma is genuinely shocked at this. Lancelot negotiates them bring Mulan along with them. Emma thinks they can take care of themselves, but Mary Margaret brings her royal negotiating skills to the table and agrees. It’s weapon time, and Emma does pick up a knife that she puts in her boot, she also wants her gun back. Mulan asks if it’s magical; Emma says it depends on who’s pulling the trigger. Mulan tells them to follow her lead, but Emma thinks she knows everything because she killed a dragon last week. Yes, you shot your gun at it, which did nothing, and threw your sword at it as a last resort. Hmmm, I wonder what will happen if our women come across an Ogre. Mulan tries to intimidate Emma, but Mary Margaret tells her not to worry, she won’t let anything happen to her. They just need to stick to the plan. Emma gets exasperated because Mary Margaret hasn’t told her anything yet. Mary Margaret tells her they’re going after the wardrobe and Emma sounds so cute when she says ‘the wardrobe that sent little baby me to Maine.’ Mary Margaret informs her that it’s at the castle and is Emma ready to see where she’s from. Emma just looks like she is taking so much more than she can handle. Emma continues showing how out of her element she is when she questions starting a fire with Ogres around. Mary Margaret informs her they’re blind and hunt by sound. Mulan seems to think she’s pretty inept. Mary Margaret basically tells her to guard the campsite. I truly do feel bad for Emma at this point. She’s been on her own and figuring things out on her own for so long, and now she’s been thrust into a completely bizarro world where her friend is now her mom and she’s surrounded by Disney and Arthurian characters, and who wouldn’t feel out of their element with all that. Aurora comes after Mary Margaret and they, plus Mulan get into a bit of a whisper fight, that is until Emma comes barging in and shoots off her gun to break up the argument. She’s trying to protect Mary Margaret, but all she’s done is bring an Ogre and Mary Margaret is pretty pissed off that Emma didn’t listen again (welcome to motherhood). Mary Margaret and Emma go off in one direction and Mulan and Aurora go off in the other. Emma immediately trips over a tree root, once again showing her ineptitude, and then the Ogre comes out from the trees. Emma tries to shoot it (again? Guns don’t work against fairy tale creatures!), but the Ogre just knocks it out of her hand. Emma isn’t sure what to do at this point and just lets the creature roar in her face. But then Mary Margaret calls out for it and shoots it in the eye with an arrow (how they’re killed). Emma is in shock. She wants to know how Mary Margaret knew she could kill the Ogre considering she hasn’t shot an arrow for 28 years. Mary Margaret says she didn’t. Then she nicely tells Emma to listen to her from now on, guns won’t work here. Emma is finally getting that she really doesn’t know how this place works. Emma is impressed that Mary Margaret can take care of herself, something she didn’t do very well in Storybrooke. Emma’s finally beginning to understand that. Aurora is complaining about everything, but mainly about being cold so Emma gives her her jacket to wear. Aurora wonders why since she just tried to kill her friend. Emma says Mary Margaret is her mom, which, wow! That’s a big step for Emma; to actually acknowledge her as her mom!  She also admits to screwing up a lot lately. Emma is finally making some progress! And she let’s Aurora know that Mary Margaret can take care of herself. They come to the castle and see it pretty much in ruins. And now the nursery scene. Emma announces that she recognizes it from Henry’s book, while Mary Margaret is remembering it from before the curse. Mary Margaret talks about all the things she didn’t get to do with Emma, and it’s making Emma uncomfortable, too emotional for her. When Mary Margaret says they never got to be a family, Emma reminds her that they do have a family waiting for them in Storybrooke. It’s almost like she’s dismissing Mary Margaret’s feelings, but she’s just not used to this kind of emotion. She wants to figure out how to get the wardrobe to work. Mary Margaret wants to get it back to the Safe Haven and hopefully they can find someone with enough magic to help activate it again. Emma’s skeptical because how are they going to get it there? Lancelot arrives at that moment, citing the Ogre attack as to why he came. He and Mary Margaret talk about the wardrobe and how to reactivate it and then he mentions getting them home to their family and Henry. Emma smiles sadly at this, until Mary Margaret pulls her sword on Lancelot freaking Emma out. Mary Margaret helps Emma realize it’s Cora and not Lancelot. Emma manages to get knocked down by Cora not once, but twice trying to save Mary Margaret. She finally realizes what she can use her gun for. She opens up the bullet casing and creates a spark and sets the wardrobe on fire! Good job, Emma! Cora uses magic to take the fire out and tries to throw it at Emma, but Mulan whacks the fireball back into the wardrobe with her sword. Cora poufs away. Emma seems to be confused about where Cora went. She apologizes for burning up the wardrobe but she couldn’t let Cora get to Henry. She had to put Henry first. Mary Margaret understands completely, and so does Emma. She’s finally realizing what it means to be a parent, and what that meant for Mary Margaret and David to do what they did. They didn’t want to give her up. They had plans for her, but they had to put her needs first and Mary Margaret is still putting her needs first and Emma doesn’t know how to deal with that because no one has ever put her needs first. They hug for the first time acknowledging they’re mother and daughter (because Emma still couldn’t wrap her head around it the first time after the curse broke). She’s smiling and yay for mother/daughter bonding, even if it was by torching their only way home. And then Emma gives a little giggle, like she’s so happy her mom was there to help her in a tough situation, and she walks off to go find Mulan and Aurora.

Charming/David: All Charming wanted was to introduce his fiance to his mother and take over George’s castle as his own. Unfortunately, George decides to make good on his threat about killing Charming’s mother if he didn’t marry Abigail (again, didn’t Abigail call off the wedding because they revived Frederick, or is the fact that Charming intervened at all that’s the problem), so by the time Charming gets home, they’re practically already surrounded by George’s guards. And Charming does tell Ruth to get in the cottage and proceeds to take on about five guards all on his own and killing all of them in an over exaggerated fight. In typical overprotective mother fashion, Ruth comes out before the battle is finished and has found herself with a poisoned arrow in her chest. Snow and Lancelot arrive and David is heartbroken about his mother. Charming and Snow brainstorm ideas on how to save Ruth, but Lancelot tells them it has to be something more than fairy dust (how does he know what kind of poison she’s been hit with and how strong the antidote needs to be). Charming remembers Lake Nostos so they decide to make the trip. Considering that most of this episode is Charming trying to save his mother from dying, I really don’t get that emotional charge from him. It’s nice to see him and Snow get married so Ruth can see her son happy before she dies, but there’s still not a lot from the actor in these scenes for me. Even at Ruth’s grave, which should be sad, Snow gives her condolences to Charming about losing the last of his family, and he just says he has Snow and they can start a new family. It’s like he completely forgets about his mother. I know, Ruth just wanted Charming to be happy, but takes some time to grieve Charming.  The best reaction is when Snow tells him they are going to have a child after he uses his mother’s pendant, and he wonders if there’s something she needs to tell him. 

David is doing his best to try and wrangle Henry in from his next Operation (Scorpion or Viper). He lets Henry know that Jefferson can’t help them and they need to find another way to get the hat working. He’s going to need to find magic and he can’t let Henry anywhere near that. He starts to mention about magic always coming with a price, but Henry says it before he can, mentioning that he read the book. I really expected David to say he lived it, but he just says that  he can’t let Henry anywhere near magic. He’s trying to be a good grandparent and sends Henry off to the bus, but doesn’t actually check to make sure he gets on the thing. If I knew my grandson had a penchant for being in places he wasn’t supposed to be, I’d definitely make sure he got on the bus and have the school call me when he gets to class. David ends up saving Henry from the Agrabah Vipers that Regina has in her vault. Regina went to him to find Henry after he stood her up. Henry just wants Emma and Mary Margaret back. He wants to be in the EF learning to horseback ride and sword fight. David understands. He goes to take Henry back to school and says he needs to make sure no one else finds their way into the vault. At the end, we see that while David says he wants Henry to help out, and he has bought two wooden swords to teach him how to sword fight. He’s the grandson of a prince after all.

Cora: We don’t physically see much of Cora, but we see enough. At the beginning she is in the pit with Emma and a knocked out Mary Margaret. She’s playing the victim to Emma, pretending she’s in the pit only because Regina is her daughter. She’s even softened her look, hair half down, holding a shawl like she’s cold. She knows that Emma is from wherever the curse took them. She asks how they got back to the EF. The second Mary Margaret wakes up, though, she warns Emma away from her. Cora continues to plead her case as the poor, abused mother of Regina. Emma doesn’t see anything wrong with hearing her out and mentions Henry. Cora, of course recognizing the name of her husband, is very interested in learning who Henry is. We don’t see Cora again until everyone ends up at the ruins of Snow and Charming’s castle. Mary Margaret and Emma figure out that Lancelot is really Cora and the disguise comes off and so does the ‘poor me’ attitude she’d been sporting previously. Mary Margaret demands to know where the real Lancelot is. Cora says she killed him a long time ago. She’s very callous about it, as if it’s no big deal, just something she had to do to get what she wanted. She’s posed as him ever since because the remaining people wouldn’t listen to her. Cora uses her magic to pin Mary Margaret to the wall and throw Emma aside. She’s been looking for a way to get over for a long time and Mary Margaret lead her right to the wardrobe. She wraps Emma’s legs in the carpet when she tries to get in her way again, causing her to fall over. Mary Margaret wants to know why Cora is doing this, and Cora says she wants to see Regina.  It’s been too long. And she’d love to meet her grandson Henry, which Mary Margaret and Emma balk at. So Emma sets the wardrobe on fire which Cora is not happy about. She directs the flame at Emma, but Mulan comes in at the last second to block it with her sword and knocks it back into the wardrobe. Cora looks at everyone in the room as says she’s not done and poufs out. After everyone leaves the nursery, Cora poufs back and grabs some of the ash from the wardrobe and puts it into a beaker which then starts to glow with magic. Uh oh!

Jefferson/Henry/Regina: Jefferson is basically afraid that his daughter won’t want to be with him now that she remembers because he left her in the EF. We see him looking at the drawing she made because she’s looking for him. Henry comes to see him because he wants to get to Emma and Mary Margaret and Jefferson says that Regina must have something in her vault that can help him. Henry hadn’t realized that the vault was here in Storybrooke. He sees the picture Jefferson was looking at and starts begging him to see his daughter. He thinks Grace will hate him. Look, I get that he’s insecure about this, even though he kidnapped Emma and made deals that backfired with Regina to try and get Grace back, but she made a poster looking for him, so she obviously is looking for him and wants to see him. Henry tells him anything is better than nothing. She’ll spend her whole life wondering why he left her. Not knowing is the worst. Jefferson ponders this. Then Henry calls Regina and asks her out to lunch in the middle of the school day! She’s so excited that Henry’s making an effort so she agrees. Henry has been hiding somewhere in her office (seriously, what is that, a bathroom?) and he sneaks out and steals her keys. Now, if Henry had been smart, he would have gone to lunch with Regina and then gone to the vault and no one would have been any wiser, but I guess it’s good she stood her up, because otherwise he’d be dead in the vault due to the Agrabah Vipers he discovers! Luckily, David saves him from the same death as his Great-Grandfather. Regina was smart enough to know that Henry was scheming and deduced that he’d stolen her keys to get into the vault and let David know. That’s some real growth on her part. Jefferson finally gets over his fear and goes to see Grace when she gets off the bus. She’s so happy he found her. Henry watches from Emma’s bug (does he just hang out in there because he misses Emma, aww.).

I know I didn’t mention George/Spencer, but we got a lot of him with both Lancelot and Snow. And he just glared at David and Henry in Storybrooke, so we can assume that he’s going to do something to retaliate against David.  Aurora wants justice for Phillip, but Mulan tells her there’s a fine line between vengeance and justice and to be careful. Both are on Mary Margaret’s side by the end. Ruth was covered through most of Lancelot, Snow, and Charming’s stories. 

Questions:

I’m really confused about the whole King George thing. Didn’t Snow, Red, the dwarfs, and the fairies take control of George’s castle in 1x21 An Apple Red as Blood when they went to rescue Charming? Didn’t George run off after Regina made the deal with him for Charming? How did he get his castle back?

Was the arrow shot into Snow and Charming’s tent a warning shot? If they could make that shot I’m pretty sure they could have hit any of the people in the tent as well.

Did Cora really expect Mary Margaret to welcome her after everything Regina did?

I know that Regina told Snow about what Cora did to Daniel, but what else does Snow know about her that makes her think she’s worse than Regina?

How was Cora masquerading as Lancelot when a meeting was requested of Snow and Emma? Cora was in the pit with them talking to them. How could she have also been Lancelot? Is she able to astral project in one of these situations?

Does Ruth not know how skilled with a sword Charming is? He knew how to wield a sword before slaying the dragon, so someone had to have taught him. That isn’t something he could just pick up in a day.

How old is Aurora supposed to be? Was she the one cursed to prick her finger on a spindle at 16 or was that her mother? If it was her, than she’s only around 17-years-old, which would account for the way she acts this episode. If she’s older, than I have to assume she’s been really spoiled throughout her life.

So is the infertility potion a curse or is it poison? If it’s a curse shouldn’t true love’s kiss make it go away? Or does George mean it metaphorically?

Lancelot says that only those in their bubble were spared from the curse, but Aurora’s castle seemed to be outside of the bubble since Phillip and Mulan couldn’t look for her until recently. So why wasn’t she part of the curse in Storybrooke?

I get that Ruth was concerned for Charming, but there is a battle going on. Why are you out of the cottage?

Why didn’t Regina wonder why Henry wasn’t in school when he called her for lunch? Or can he, a fourth grader, leave campus for lunch?

How does Aurora manage to sneak up on Mary Margaret? Snow is a trained hunter and tracker. She should have heard her coming a mile away.

Exactly how long were Mary Margaret and Mulan collecting food and water for? When they left the sun was out and not setting. By the time Aurora joins them, it’s practically pitch black.

How does Emma know that Aurora tried to attack Mary Margaret? Did she not stay at the campsite and follow them? They were all pretty quiet through the whole thing.

Henry figures out where the vault is from the book.

Do the Agrabah Vipers not require food or water? Not counting the 28 years, they’ve been in that box for at least 9 months.

Where did Regina get the vipers? They’d been caught when she used them on King Leopold, that’s how they knew to blame Genie.

Why take Henry back to school at this point? It’s after lunch, he probably only has an hour or two left.

Ruth is close to death and they move locations and build an arch for their impromptu wedding instead of just having at Lake Nostos?

Would Snow and Charming’s impromptu wedding be considered legally binding?

How does Cora know that Snow and Lancelot were once friends? The only other person that is alive to tell the tale is Charming. Did she grab Lancelot’s memories from him somehow before she killed him. Has she been posing as him for the past 28 years they were frozen?

Does Mulan actually trust Mary Margaret now? She only trusted her because of Lancelot but he was actually Cora in disguise. Is Mulan only trusting her now because Cora tried to kill her?

Observations:

A Chimera has the head of a lion, a body of a goat, and a serpent (complete with head) as a tail. Although some versions have the head of a goat next to the lion’s head as well.

George makes good on his promise that he’d kill Charming’s mother if he didn’t go through with his marriage to Abigail from 1x07 The Shepherd.

Regina has been asked to leave office and she’s agreed.

The terrain around Lake Nostos is completely different than in 1x13 What Happened to Frederick. The ground was rocky and had lots of stones. This terrain is dusty and sandy. I get the lake dried up, but the terrain around it should have stayed the same.

In many Authurian legends Lancelot was raised by the Lady of the Lake.

Mary Margaret and Emma don’t question how Lancelot knew about the Ogre attack, although, Mary Margaret does start seeming a little suspicious of him right away.

Lancelot mentions the Holy Grail which was one of the main quests Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table went on.

Now we know how Snow knew Emma was going to be a girl before she was born, Ruth’s pendant told her.

At first I thought Charming was confused about Snow saying they were going to have a child because they hadn’t slept together yet, but after further viewings, I think they have had sex and that’s why he asks if there’s something she needs to tell him.

This is not the best episode. It’s not a bad episode. It’s middle of the road for me, but the mother/daughter bonding that’s happening between Mary Margaret and Emma is wonderful character development. Emma is finally seeing the sacrifice her parents made for her and she’s accepting Mary Margaret as her mother. We’ll see how she reacts to David the next time they’re together. Mary Margaret has dealt with her grief and is eager to step into the mother role for Emma. If you think about it, Mary Margaret, as Snow, last saw Emma immediately after she was born. Yes, she got to know her as Mary Margaret, but as Snow, she had just given up Emma to Charming to put into the wardrobe. So to see them moving past the hurt and finally bonding is great for both of them.

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#once upon a time #once upon a time review #once upon a time rewatch #once upon a time 2x03 #once upon a time lady of the lake

[generallynerdy]

Our Little Secret Part 6 (Merlin & Child!Reader)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Summary: (Y/N), Gwaine, and Percival are captured by Morgana and taken to Ismere. The men are sent to the mines, but (Y/N) is held elsewhere. The only thing her friends know of her is that they can hear her screams from levels far below her prison. Meanwhile, an old friend makes a reappearance.

Key: (Y/N) - your name Warnings: torture, imprisonment, unconsciousness, violence, injuries, mentions of death, mentions of stabbing, annoying cliffhangers Word Count: 2,700

Note: happy reunited times??? i think nOT!!!!!!!! have a cliFFHANGER!!!!!!!!!!!! also sorry this is so late, i went to Academic UIL and got first in my event so it’s been kinda crazy

“Sir Gwaine set off for Ismere some six weeks ago. With him went threescore of our finest men. There has been no word from them since.”

“Did you find the others?” Gwaine whispered to Percival as he kept at his work, the pickaxe in his hands getting heavier by the moment.

Percival nodded. “Every last one, except (Y/N).”

“They wouldn’t let a lady down here,” Gwaine huffed. “Even if she is a knight.”

“Someone said they heard screams the other night, from upstairs,” Percival muttered darkly.

Gwaine raised his eyebrows, heart dropping. “A woman’s?”

At Percival’s hesitant nod, he glanced at the ground, terror gripping him. If (Y/N) was being kept upstairs, there was no telling what Morgana would do to her. After all, they were old friends.

“Now, (Y/N), dear,” Morgana hissed into the girl’s ear.

(Y/N) lay helplessly on a slab of stone, chains boring into her skin and cutting her viciously. Blood trickled down her arms and from her ankles, where more chains wrapped around her. It pooled under her, staining the stone as it had done for weeks, making the rock crimson rather than the dull grey it had started as.

Morgana chuckled darkly. “Last chance to give up.”

She dragged a knife down the side of the girl’s right arm, just barely piercing the skin. (Y/N) bit her tongue to avoid crying out in pain, refusing to look weak.

“I told you before,” Morgana continued, “Pledge your allegiance to me and you’ll have free reign of this castle. Maybe I’ll even give you an army of knights.”

“I would rather die,” (Y/N) choked out.

After weeks of torture, both physical and psychological, the poor girl was a mess. She was an adult now and had a few years of experience as a knight, but she had never been captured before. It was taking a toll on her body, though more so her mind.

As it happened, (Y/N) was starting to see people, people who were long dead. She kept seeing Lancelot, for one, as well as others she knew were alive, but were nowhere near her prison. Every night, one of her friends was there to save her, though her chains would never be removed, not really.

Morgana let out an animalistic growl. “And you will, as soon as I know who taught you.”

“What?” (Y/N) asked quietly, suddenly confused. Taught her what? This had never been part of their conversations before.

“Who taught you magic, of course,” Morgana grinned evilly.

(Y/N) felt her stomach drop. How could Morgana possibly know about her magic? No one knew but Merlin and Gaius. Of course, Lancelot had known back then, but he had been dead for a long time.

The only other person (Y/N) could think of was Mordred, that little boy from so long ago. But he swore to keep her secret and she trusted him to do so, wherever he was.

“I don’t have magic,” she replied stubbornly.

“Oh, there’s no point hiding it, darling,” came Morgana’s cackle. “I’ve known your little secret for a long time, thanks to a little girl too foolish and too grief-stricken to worry who saw her move a boulder into a forest clearing.”

(Y/N) shook her head violently. “No. No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Morgana grew furious. “Stop! Stop lying!” She shrieked. “I saw you move that stone for Lancelot’s memorial! I know you have magic! Now, tell me who taught you or--!”

“Lady Morgana!” a voice shouted from outside.

(Y/N) laughed weakly. “I suppose you’ll never know.”

“I’ll be back,” Morgana growled. “And you will tell me. Or the next person that visits you will be a knight’s corpse.”

She slammed the prison door behind her as she went, leaving (Y/N) to shake with worry. Her friends were down in the mines with the other men, she knew that, but Morgana would murder them in a second if it would tell her what she needed to know.

(Y/N) didn’t want to out Merlin, seeing as he was Camelot’s greatest weapon, but she couldn’t let Percival or Gwaine die. If it came down to it, she knew Merlin would want her to save them. She could only hope that rescue would come from Camelot before she had to make such a decision.

Then again, she realised, Merlin had told her never to rely purely on faith.

Taking a deep breath, she waited until she was sure it was quiet in the hall. No one was around, so she could make as much noise as she needed.

Metal clanged as she slammed her chained wrist against the stone, whimpering as she did. She avoided hurting herself as much as possible, while still getting the force she needed to break her chains open. When the first one snapped, she smiled.

One down, three to go.

When Mordred turned the corner of the tunnel and found himself faced with a group of Camelot knights, he realised it was his moment. He passed Arthur over to the first two to approach, not bothering to stick around as they walked off. Instead, he rushed to the upper levels, sneaking past guards who looked frantically for Lady Morgana.

They would never find her, not alive, anyway, for Mordred had stabbed her in the back only moments ago.

Reaching the lowest floor of the upper levels, he knocked out a guard with the hilt of his knife, clearing the entire musty hallway of security. He sprinted past heavy wooden doors, inside of which came screams and cries for help. He ignored all of them until he got to the last door.

Mordred took a deep breath and kicked it open with all his might, sending the massive thing off its hinges and onto the floor. He stepped into the room, hoping to see a familiar face, but instead seeing an empty stone slab with broken chains. Worry started to settle in his stomach, but he didn’t have a moment to process before he was taken into a chokehold.

Two strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a corner and slowly cutting off his air flow. He struggled in his attacker’s grip before suddenly realising they had chains still attached to their wrists.

Tapping furiously on their arm, Mordred gargled past ragged breaths; “(Y/N)! (Y/N)! I’m here-- here to help!”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, she let go and he fell to the ground. He stumbled to his feet and got a good look at the girl, who was leaning weakly against the wall. She was no longer in her armour and cape, but rugged men’s clothing stained in red.

(Y/N) gazed at him curiously, clearly not recognising him at first. Looking him up and down, she froze when she met his eyes, his bright eyes that she had not seen in so long.

“Mordred?” She whispered.

That was when her body chose to give out, making her fall against the prison wall for support. Mordred panicked and rushed to help her up, holding most of her weight and keeping her from collapsing entirely.

“Mor-- Mordred,” she muttered, reaching up to put her hand against his cheek. “It’s you.”

“It’s me.” He smiled lightly down at her. “I’m going to get you out of here, (Y/N). I’m going to bring you home.”

Mordred leaned down and, with all his effort, picked her up bridal style. He held her tightly as he exited the prison and made his way down to the mine levels again, hoping that Merlin, Arthur, and the men of Camelot hadn’t left yet. Of course, he realised soon enough that they would never leave without their dear (Y/N)-- and he couldn’t blame them.

As soon as he descended the last flight of stairs, voices echoed up to where he could hear them.

“We haven’t found (Y/N) yet and the boy-- the boy who saved Arthur disappeared,” one of the knights said.

Mordred could hear Merlin take a deep breath as he turned the corner into the main area of the mine, where they all gathered.

“We need to find (Y/N),” Merlin said. “If Morgana had her in the upper levels--”

“I’ve got her,” Mordred interrupted as he walked up to them, (Y/N) in his arms. He immediately started walking past them, though, headed toward the exit.

The knights glanced at each other and Merlin, who gave a heavy sigh. Gwaine shrugged and followed after Mordred, a rush of adrenaline filling him. Percival was right at his heels, the others following the giant’s example.

Merlin was tempted to take another quick look around the castle, but he worried about leaving Mordred alone with (Y/N). What kind of game was he playing, stabbing Morgana and rescuing (Y/N)? Was he being sentimental or was this the start of something else? Either way, Merlin didn’t like it.

Back in Camelot, (Y/N) was kept under close watch. Merlin offered up his room for her to stay in and Gaius examined her, coming to the conclusion that her physical injuries weren’t extensive.

Mordred had returned to Camelot with them, by request of Arthur. If the king hadn’t asked him, he probably would have joined them anyway, seeing as he was by (Y/N)’s side the whole way back. She hadn’t woken up except for a single time, when they were still travelling through the blizzarding lands of the north.

They had made a makeshift bed for both her and Arthur on a cart they stole from Ismere, bundling them up as best they could. Mordred and Merlin sat atop it as well, keeping a close eye on the two. Merlin was more concerned with Mordred than he was them, though.

When (Y/N) began to shift in her unconscious state, Mordred leapt to action, leaning over her when she woke up.

“Mordred?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He tucked the blankets in tighter and nodded, trying to smile. “I’m here, (Y/N).”

“It’s so cold,” she managed, her breath turning to fog. “So cold.”

“Here,” he muttered.

He helped her to sit up and lift her blankets just enough that he could move underneath her, propping her up on his lap. Mordred wrapped his arms around her shivering form as best he could in an attempt to share body heat. Without being prompted, (Y/N) grabbed his significantly warmer hands with hers, which were shaking involuntarily.

“I must be dreaming,” she said.

Mordred laughed a little. “How do you know?”

She shifted deeper into the blankets, eyes beginning to droop from pure exhaustion. “You’re here.”

When they arrived in Camelot, Mordred refused to leave (Y/N)’s side. He was by her bed as she slept, ever the watchful guardian. Because of this, Merlin stuck around, too, as if he wasn’t planning to already.

Night was almost upon them when a quiet knock sounded on the door. Percival entered, wary of the three sets of eyes looking at him questioningly.

“Uh, Mordred,” he said to the boy by the bed. “Arthur wants to speak to you.”

Mordred looked back at (Y/N), almost considering saying no before he sighed and stood. He went to leave, nodding once at Gaius and Merlin. He walked out, but Percival didn’t follow, leaning against the doorway.

“How bad is it?” He asked quietly.

Gaius sighed. “I fear the scars around her wrists and ankles won’t ever go away. They might fade, but…”

“I’m glad Morgana’s dead,” Percival muttered.

It was almost a shocking thing to hear from the usually gentle giant’s mouth. Then again, they were all fond of (Y/N), especially the knights. She was one of their own, a girl who they had all trained with since she was a teenager. Percival had known her for the least amount of time, yet he was still extremely protective of her, so one could imagine how the others felt.

Seeing as (Y/N) was safe with Percival, Merlin and Gaius took their leave, intending to make sure the others were alright. When they left, Percival took Mordred’s former seat by the girl’s bed.

Perhaps half an hour into his stay, (Y/N) began to stir. He pulled his chair closer, speaking calmingly to her as she woke up.

“You’re alright,” he said. “You’re safe, (Y/N). You’re back in Camelot.”

“Camelot?” She sat up in bed suddenly, eyes wide. “But...what about Ismere? Morgana? Mor--” She was about to say something else, but went silent, eyebrows furrowed as she looked away.

Percival put a reassuring hand on her wrist. “Arthur and Merlin rescued us. You were unconscious.”

“Oh,” she said quietly.

To him, it sounded as if she was almost disappointed, though he couldn’t tell why. The knight had failed to mention Mordred, as he didn’t think she knew him personally. Thus, she was led to believe her rescue by the young man’s hand was only a figment of her imagination. It had really been Arthur who saved her and carried her out, she decided. Merlin wouldn’t have been able to do that.

“Are you alright?” Percival asked her, shaking her from her thoughts. “We could-- we could hear the screams from the mines. What did she do to you?”

“I--” (Y/N) swallowed, not able to meet his eye.

She didn’t want to tell him about the countless times Morgana’s blade drew her blood, nor the days she went without food or water. She couldn’t bare to recount the tear of her skin under the chains.

All her memories brought to light, she began to cry, sobbing into her hand.

Percival’s heart broke at the sight and he could not help leaning forward, embracing her in his strong arms. She practically melted at his touch, crying instead into his shoulder for comfort.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry. She’ll never hurt you again.”

“You can’t promise that,” came her whimper.

He lifted her gently from his shoulder, eyes searching her face. “Morgana is dead, (Y/N).”

(Y/N)’s jaw dropped slowly and a small smile appeared. The tears in her eyes shined and a little laugh escaped her lips. “Dead? I--” Her smile disappeared.

“What is it?” Percival asked, worried that she was hurting.

“She was my friend, once,” she whispered. “It feels wrong to be happy.”

The man was silent for a moment and, being the softy he was, dragged her in for another hug. “That wasn’t Morgana. Not the one you knew. She’s been gone a long time.”

“I miss her,” she sighed. “How did she...how did it happen?”

“The boy that rescued you-- he stabbed her.”

(Y/N) processed his words and pulled away from him, bewildered. “There was a boy?” He nodded and she stormed him with questions before he could say anything else. “With dark hair, bright eyes, pale skin? Did he rescue me? Tell me, Percival! Was his name Mordred?”

“Yes-- yes, that was his name, I think,” he stuttered. “Why?”

“It wasn’t my imagination! Where is he?” She almost leapt from the bed in excitement, but refrained from doing so until she knew where Mordred was. “You have to take me to him! I have to see him!”

“What?” He instantly reeled. “No! You’ve just woken up! You haven’t had time to rest--”

“Oh, please!” She begged. “I have to see him, it’s been so long!”

Percival sighed and glanced toward the door, almost expecting Gaius or Merlin to be there glaring at him. When he saw no one, he looked back at (Y/N), who was using her puppy eyes on him.

“Fine,” he sighed. She cheered, but he interrupted her. “But no Spot until after you’ve rested. And if we get in trouble, you threatened me.”

“Of course!” She gushed, hugging him again. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Alright, alright,” he laughed. “But remember-- my cooperation? Our little secret.”

(Y/N) grinned and held out her pinky for him to link with her own, making both of them laugh a little. “Promise.”

Merlin Tags: @pearlll09

Part 7

Masterlist

#our little secret #our little secret part 6 #merlin x reader #merlin x you #merlin x y/n #merlin bbc #merlin #the adventures of merlin #merlin imagine #merlin oneshot #merlin fanfiction #sir percival #sir gwaine #king arthur #lady morgana #morgana #mordred #cliffhanger #bc i love you #novakitty #novakitty114 #generallynerdy #river #rivika