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#and now he has to worry about him did he make it to camelot okay? is he still alive?
arthurslesbian · 2 years
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arthur's face when he had to entrust merlin to the care of another man 😭😭😭
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larluce · 2 months
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Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU
Tagging @aceauthorcatqueen , @fallenxjas , @smileytrinity ,@lucifertookmyshoe , @an-entity-i-think , @thecornerofbelu , @griffonskies , @odinjm , @cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu , @thelady-mary , @bennedict , @nightninjaboy , @st8-of-grace , @star-rie , @error-username-not-availablea , @dogberryrowan , @jamieweasley13 Since you asked for Arthur and Merlin to still be oblivious for series 2 ;)
LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 (You're here) , PART 12
In "The Curse of Cornelius Sigan"
Arthur: (falls of his horse)
Merlin: Arthur! (Goes to him worried)
Arthur: I’m fine (stands up)
Merlin: (checks Arthur for injuries, anxiously)
Arthur: (smiles and stops Merlin by the shoulders, gently) Merlin, I’m fine, really.
Merlin: I’m sorry. I did that girth up myself. I don’t know how-
Cedric: (appears bringing back the horse) Would you like me to fit the girth properly for you, sire.
Merlin: (Kills him with his eyes)
Arthur: (realises it was him who sabotaged Merlin the first time but decides to play along for now) Thank you.
Cedric: (makes a bow) It is an honor to be of service to the Prince.
Arthur: And not an honor everyone can have. Right, Merlin?
Merlin: (dryly) Right.
Cedric: Allow me the honor of brushing your clothes down- (is about to touch Arthur’s clothes but Merlin grabs his arm midair)
Merlin: (smiles politely, but his grip is strong) I can do that myself, you don’t have to worry.
Cedric: (pulls his arm free, taken aback, but turns to Arthur) Anything else I can do for you, sire?
Arthur: (between bewildered and pleased with Merlin’s reaction) Thank you, but my servant has everything under control.
Merlin: (brushes Arthur’s clothes and gives Cedric a very smug smile)
Cedric: (thinking) The little shit. (forces a smile). In fact, I’ve come to Camelot in search of work. It would mean everything to me to have the pleasure to work at the castle near your highness.
Merlin: (coldly, after he finishes brushing Arthur’s clothes) There is a procedure for that.
Arthur: Merlin, it’s okay. (to Cedric) What’s your name?
Cedric: (makes another bow) Cedric, your highness.
Arthur: Cedric. We’re short of a man or two in the stables. You can start there. (gets on his horse) Merlin?
Merlin: (gets on his horse too and they leave together)
Cedric: …
Cedric: The servant has his own horse?! 😨
Time skip. Later in the stables.
Arthur: (furious) You fell asleep? That’s your excuse?
Cedric: (scared) I didn’t mean to-
Arthur: To what? To lose ALL the horses?
Merlin: (enters) Sire. Don’t be too hard on him. He's just tired.
Arthur: On his first day?
Cedric: Sire, please-
Arthur: Enough! You’re fired. (leaves but shouts from outside) Merlin!
Merlin: (cheerfully) I’ll go in a moment, sire! (looks at Cedric, his face turning serious)
Cedric: I did not fall asleep.
Merlin: No, you did not (throws the cloth that had Cedric’s sleeping draught at him). Thank you for the trick though, it’s quite effective.
Cedric: (angered) You stole it from me!
Merlin: Says the thief. (shakes his head and gives him a sack with treasure of Sigan’s tomb) Here, I hope that’s enough for you.
Cedric: (confused)… what?
Merlin: You wanted jewels, gold? There they are. Now leave Camelot and don’t come back.
Cedric: You think I’m stupid? I know there’s more in that tomb!
Merlin: Don’t be greedy. I'm doing you a favor. Or you leave with your hands full or be arrested for theft. You choose.
Cedric: I can tell the Prince you stole that. You’ll lose your job.
Merlin: Go ahead. Tell him and let’s see who he believes.
Cedric: …
Merlin: That’s what I thought. (threatens) I expect you to be gone by noon. (leaves)
Time skip. Cedric in the woods alone counting his treasure, happily.
Arthur: (appears out of nowhere) Where did you get that?
Cedric: (nervous) ¡Ah! Sire, what a nice surprise… seeing you here. 😅
Arthur: (approaches threateningly, raising his sword) You stole from me.
Cedric: (steps back, hands up, frightened) No! Merlin, your servant, he-
Arthur: And now you want to blame my personal manservant.
Cedric: No! I would never! I-
Arthur: (barely contained fury) You tried to sabotage my servant and almost liberated the ghost of a dangerous sorcerer putting all Camelot at risk… (pointing the sack with treasure). Just for this?
Cedric: (on his knees, begging) I’m so sorry, your highness! Please forgive me!
Arthur: I would. But you see… (runs him through with his sword) I still need 283.
...
Do you find confusing that I'm writing kind of in disorder? If you do, please let me know. Also, I'm open to ideas as always :D. Love you.
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Merlin rewatch : 2x09 "The lady of the lake"
Freya must have been so cold wearing these rags…
Gaius, your acceptance/resignation towards people being sold for a price if they have magic freaks me out.
As if Merlin was going to let a defenseless looking girl stay in that cage… Especially someone with magic. He feels empathy for them.
Is that the first time we're seeing the Rising sun tavern ?
Oh Merlin is using so many spells in a few minutes, I'm loving it…
"Here, I thought you might be cold."
"I just saw you and… It could have been me, in that cage".
WHY is Merlin not stealing from the kitchens instead of bringing Arthur a rotten apple and a stale piece of bread ? The NERVE ?! I wouldn't have given this to anyone, even less my BOSS, a PRINCE.
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Arthur's indignation : "I am fighting fit!"
I think this is where we're getting started with the fatphobic jokes…
Arthur has scratches/scars on his chest ? Where did he get that ?
Merlin giving Arthur "Sire" because he knows he fucked up…
Oh Freya was a druid ?
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Merlin !!!! How did you not realise that that bathwater was BOILING and could COOK ARTHUR TO DEATH ?
"You need to warn them, Sire. The girl is dangerous. My informer told me she was cursed."
"How so ?"
"He didn't know. But he said even the druids were frightened of her. They cast her out of their camp."
So Freya is an outcast. Just like Merlin, in some way. Merlin is so powerful it'd be easy to be afraid of him once he's mature enough. He's not part of the druids. Neither is Freya.
Add butter to that bread and cheese and you get un jambon-beurre haha.
"Believe me, it's fit for a prince" hahaha no shit Merlin !
"He knows but I'm not sure he understands". => Merlin about Gaius knowing about Merlin's magic.
"Magic is not a curse. It can be a gift!" Oh baby in 1x01 you feared you were a monster ?
Merlin is lying to Gaius' face and his very inquisitive eyes…
Merlin stealing Arthur's food is supposed to be a joke, okay, but I'm not sure I like it now. Arthur is being deprived of a good breakfast and lunch. He'll be cranky come evening. Give him food.
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"Merlin is my servant, he has my absolute trust. If you have a problem with him, you come to me. Do you understand ?"
This line is doing things to my heart, oh la la…
The fact that Arthur doesn't question Merlin AT ALL about his strange behaviour, they just bicker about the stolen sausages and Arthur's weight and then Merlin just… leaves. And goes straight to see Freya.
"I scare most people away" Freya you deserve better…
"You can't always trust people."
"I know. That's why I left home."
Merlin :/ Babe <3
Let it be remembered that Merlin can make flowers appear, but not food.
"With you, I can just be who I am. We don't have to hide anything. I don't have to worry."
"Being different is nothing to be scared of".
AND THAT SINGLE TEAR ROLLING DOWN HIS CHEEK !
Awww Merlin behaving like a lovesick puppy <3
This is the first time Merlin even THINKS about leaving Camelot. He's known Freya for two days. He's just really desperate to be known for who he really is, and to be free…
Moths and woodworms : the "reasons" why Merlin is snooping into closets and bedside tables he should not be touching at all.
"Running an errand for Gaius" : excuse number 1 for weird shit and secret missions Merlin is doing.
Arthur not giving a fuck about Merlin possibly crossdressing for fun in his spare time : "As long as you do a decent day's work, Merlin, that's all I care about. […] What a man does in his spare time is completely up to him". And then the compliment : "colour suits you Merlin".
This is day three now.
"We can leave tonight, as soon as it gets dark, and we can be together".
Horses, blankets and food and they won't need more. A second kiss, and goodbye. Freya doesn't have the heart to tell him.
"There was a time when you thought twice about lying to me".
Yet Merlin said "Of course not!" which such an air of sincerity… Oh yeah, he's turning into a really good liar…
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Mais Gaius t'es tellement une grosse balance, t'es là à lécher les pompes d'UTHER au lieu de régler le problème avec Merlin !
"You can never understand. Do you know how it feels to be a monster? To be afraid of who you are ?"
"Freya is very different from you. She's dangerous."
Oh I didn't remember Arthur saw her in her human form ! Lol he's just there blinking as she's turning into a bastet…
I can't freaking believe Arthur's guards and knights are running away while Arthur is trying to fight the bastet !
MERLIN ! You almost crushed Arthur to death !
He's petting her head ???
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OH is Freya a rape survivor, forced to kill people by the mother of her rapist ? That's so fucked up…
"Please go."
"No. I'm not leaving you here".
The PARALLELS with Arthur's dying moments !
"One day, Merlin, I will repay you. I promise". Okay but do we actually see that happen in the next seasons ? I don't remember her.
What I do remember from years ago is directors saying that Colin held that level of intensity and sadness for hours in the rain for those lake scenes.
It's the first time he has to light a funeral pyre for a friend and it sadly won't be the last…
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That last scene with Arthur always gets to me. Arthur might be oblivious to a lot of things but he pays attention to Merlin more than Merlin might think, I'd say.
"Something's been upsetting you, hasn't it ?"
Arthur has seen Merlin doing the weirdest things in the past four days or so : stealing his food, calling him fat, giving him stale food to eat, stealing a dress, being accused of hiding a druid… And he doesn't accuse Merlin of anything himself. He thinks "Oh, Merlin has been upset. I must find out why. Maybe it's because of me." and then he sort of apologises and when words fail him, he uses action to make Merlin smile again. Because seeing Merlin smile, as we'll learn in the next seasons ("I haven't seen you smile in the past three days") is important to Arthur. Because he cares. Another thing that gets to me is that when Merlin is sitting upset doing his chores, Arthur usually comes to sit next to him, at his eye level, or even UNDER his eye level sometimes. Yet, a Prince should never be sitting at a lower level than a servant or any lesser noble. He gives himself the look of a listener, and he's bad with words and feelings (because of his father's shitty education) but he TRIES.
Last episode was Arthur centric, with Arthur showing his most intimate thoughts and feelings to/in front of Merlin : his grief and guilt about his mother's death, his rage at the idea that his father was responsible for her death, that he was a hypocrite and a liar... This episode was Merlin centric. I wonder what next episode will be like.
This episode was really good at exploring Merlin's feelings about his magic, his identity as a warlock, his sense of loneliness at the heart of Camelot. Gaius cares about him but is still loyal to Uther, and Merlin is not sure Gaius really understands him and what it's like to be a warlock. Arthur... Merlin cares about Arthur and Arthur cares about him, but Merlin knows that he could end up in a cage just like Freya. And I think a part of him might resent Arthur for it. Or at least, at the end of the episode, he's tired of his chores... But no wonder. Your crush is killed by your soulmate, and you still have to show up at work the next day and shine his boots ?
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fbfh · 2 years
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Imagine Tedros learning that someone attempted to assassinate his s/o after he rose to the throne and finding his s/o shaken from the attempt on their life: He would sweep you in his arms and hold you oh so close while speaking to you in a soft and gentle voice until you calm down. However, once he makes sure you’re settled enough to take a nap to process what just happens, that calm exterior drops and he is fuming to figure out who sent the assassin, because they will receive no mercy.
OOOOH GIRL. protective Tedros is something I feel very strongly about so thank you for this.
it was late at night. he was in a council meeting that was running later than expected and you were already supposed to be asleep. he's had a weird feeling in the back of his mind for a little while, but he brushes it off as wanting to go to bed and hold you tight in his arms.
"did you hear that?" his brow furrows but no one else heard what he thought was a peircing scream. moments later, footsteps thunder through the halls, guards rushing towards your room, and he really knows something is wrong. he bolts up, finding you shaking on the ground across from a broken window. he pulls you in his arms immediately, holding you tight while you cling to him, shaking like a leaf.
"are you alright, darling?" his voice is calm and gentle, but you can hear how worried he is. you nod, face in the crook of his neck. he holds you so tight, rubbing your back and gently rocking you to help you calm down. he sends away most of the guards to check the perimeter, not wanting you to feel more worked up than you understandably already are. he presses soft kisses to your hairline, just as relieved as you are that you're okay. he has someone bring tea for you two and takes you into another room to talk. you recount what happened shakily, and he only interrupts when you mention you were awake when the assasisn had crept in.
"I thought you went to sleep hours ago," he says softly. you get kinda quiet before you reply.
"I can't sleep without you anymore."
that changes his fuckin brain chemistry. he pulls you close again, holding you tight and kissing your forehead. you can't sleep without him. he's going to process that fully once they catch the bastard who tried to hurt his true love. he continues to hold you and talk to you and drink tea with you until it nears daybreak, and you seem okay again. he sends for your handmaids and ladies in waiting, making sure they're instructed to stay with you in groups no smaller than three or four people at a time. he caresses your cheek, pressing soft kisses to your lips.
"try to rest, love. I have a few matters to attend to, and we'll get this whole thing sorted out before you know it." he speaks so softly, so reassuringly that you believe him. he kisses you one more time, then hands you off to your ladies. you don't see the drastic change in his expression the second he turns away from you and walks toward the doors, but some of the other people there and in the halls do. each step he takes is like thunder rumbling in the distance, and none of them, even the ones who have known Tedros his whole life, have ever seen him like this. He's out for blood, and he won't rest until he finds out who tried to do this to you and slays them where they stand. if anyone in camelot thought they had a chance of doing anything to you, that all evaporates when Tedros and his knights ride off on their steeds, pursuing your attacker, not giving up until his head is in a basket.
when he comes back no more than a few days later, he holds you tight, making sure you're still okay. he kisses you, resting his forehead against yours before pulling you into his arms again. you've never felt more reassured than you do when he holds you tight like this, and you know he's got you 2:24.
"you can rest well now, love."
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pendragon-of-chaos · 10 months
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When the requests where Open again,.we can get a King of Chaos Arthur witha very Shy s/o??
I made it as a small scenario since I thought it would fit better, but ended up being a little bit longer that my usual small scenarios. Still not as long as a full on x Reader, so I don't know how to label it. Hope you like it!
King of Chaos Arthur with a very shy S/O: Small scenario
"Do not fail me. Once. Again."
A slam on his armrest and the reunion was dismissed. Arthur's knights had failed once again in trying to capture the four knights of the apocalypse, or at least just one of them. The king was furious. He gave them powers, clues, advice, and they returned nothing (Or what's worse, they returned defeated by four teenagers)
No one dared to lift their head, Arthur hadn't given the order even if he had finished talking. They knew a wrong movement from their part would mean receiving a punishment, and Chaos' punishments weren't merciful at all
The silence was suddenly broken by the creeking of one door, from where one head peeked shyly, followed by a quiet "I'm sorry!" and the door closing to its initial state
After a few seconds Arthur got up from his throne and walked towards that same door
"You were lucky today, you can go now" He said, without giving them a mere glance. His knights saluted in unison and waited for him to leave the room.
Outside, Arthur walked through the hallway with no expression on his face. That was until his lips turned into a smile when he saw a familiar silhoutte.
"Y/N! My love! ~ "
A flustered girl turned around to face him, playing nervously with her hands.
"I didn't know you were still talking with them, I didn't mean to interrupt. I'm sorry"
"No, no, you don't need to apologize at all. It was my fault, I was taking too long to finish it. But now that is over I can give you all my attention. Tell me, what did you need?"
"It's nothing important really, I just wanted to ask you something. I saw from here a piece of land full of flowers, but I don't know how to get there. Do you perhaps know how?"
Arthur looked at the ceiling and continued walking
"Hmm... let me see which island you are talking about and I'll tell you"
Since Camelot was made from different chunks of land floating around, it offered a wide selection of landscapes. Flower fields, rocky hills, some mountains here and there, even paths surrounded by ancient statues and pillars; everything intertwined with each other. Some of them were easily accesible, others had magical places which permitted the entrance via spells, some were connected by floating rocks that didn't give off safe vibes if you were to be honest
Arthur walked up to one of the windows near them and looked outside, finding the place his S/O had mentioned floating in the middle of nowhere as expected
"Okay, now I see it. It seems like you'll need to take a floating path starting from the big one down there... but maybe I should talk to one of the knights to accompany you, just to make sure you reach the field safely. What do you think? I would do it myself but those knights of the apocalypse have been giving me lots of work lately"
Y/N smiled nervously at the suggestion.
"One of your knights? Is it really necessary? I mean, I don't want to bother them, I'm sure they have more important things to do as you just said"
"Don't worry about it, there's always someone available. What about Pellegarde? I'm sure he will be happy with it"
Arthur looked back to her smiling sweetly, waiting for her answer
"Pellegarde... you see... he's very friendly and all, but he has too much energy... I don't even know how to answer him sometimes. Last time he accompannied me I couldn't stop thinking about how he must have thought that I'm a strange one..."
"I don't think Pellegarde thought about that, I'm sure he thinks you are quite adorable ~" A small laugh escaped his lips with a subtle blush on his cheeks. "But what about Ironside then? He doesn't talk as much as him"
Y/N looked down to the floor, putting her hands behind her back while thinking about it.
"Yeah... but at the same time it's even more uncomfortable knowing he's there, watching, but no being able to maintain a conversation with him... He's kinda intimidating, as if I was doing something wrong the whole time"
Arthur touched his chin with his hand, thinking about the scenario and nodding along her words
"I think I understand it. He takes very seriously his job... maybe Mortlach would be a better option?"
"I guess? But I heard he's taking care of Ironside's son when he is on a mission". She shrugged, looking back to the king.
Arthur arched his eyebrow, still smiling, tilting his head softly in a confused way while separating himself from the window.
"My sweet Y/N, you don't seem to enjoy any of their presence, is something bothering you? Did they do something to you? You can tell me, I can't let anyone hurt you. They will receive their punishment even if they are my most precious knights"
"It's not them, don't worry!" She shook her hands in the air, sighed deeply and spoke with a soft voice while lowering her head. "They aren't the problem. You know I'm not that good at being alone with people and having to make conversation with them... I prefer to just be alone by myself, or at least with you, you are the only person which I can be comfortable and talk easily around. But I understand you are busy most of the time. I hoped you could tell me how to get there and get going by myself, but that doesn't seem like an option so I'll just wait or think about whatever other thing I can do"
"Oooh... so that is the problem, mmh..." Arthur closed his eyes, trying to come up with a solution under his S/O's gaze. "If that's so, I need to check the next appointments and see what I can do. I would let you go by yourself but I prefer going with you"
He opened his eyes and looked at her smiling S/O, giggling to himself and patting her head.
"Thinking about it, it will do me good after all these bad news I've been getting. Well thought my dear Y/N, I wasn't expecting less from you"
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witchmd13 · 2 months
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Hello.... Can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from Merlin BBC? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks if you want to answer....
I just noticed this ask in my inbox. I'm so sorry. I don't check desktop tumblr that much anymore and asks get so easily lost on the app. I hope it's okay I'm answering right now :)
My top 5 favorite characters are: Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana, and Lancelot.
Arthur is the character I relate to the most in the show. just a bisexual disaster who can't handle emotions and always puts too much pressure on himself. Also, despite being born privileged and growing up sheltered, he always tries to be better and he listens to others and I love him for it.
Merlin. I mean who can't love Merlin? He deserves the world honestly. Above all, I love him for how good he chooses to be. He has all this power to do anything he wants. He could literally be a god, but he chooses to stay in camelot in constant danger and protect his friends and try to build a better world.
Gwen means so much to me as a character, especially in the early seasons. most of my favorite quotes from the show are hers. you have no idea how many times "worry is not a wise counsel. forget everything else. you have to follow what you believe is right" saved me from falling into an anxiety spiral. she will always have a special place in my heart.
Morgana, well, what can I say about her that's not already obvious lol. to me, she represents all the rage all of us develop growing up at seeing unfairness in the world. and while she lets her hatred of it consume her and make her bitter, instead of trying to cling the tiniest bits of love that you can find in it, like merlin did, I still love her anger and relate to it. in the end, she did do what she believed was right and damned the consequences and I think there's something to be said about her fighting for what she believed to be right until the very end.
Lancelot, well, Gwen and Lancelot's story has always been one of my favorites since I was a kid. I've always liked Lancelot more than Arthur ironically lol so I liked him the moment he showed up. He's still my favorite knight and his story in the show is just so tragic and I have a thing for tragic characters in general.
I yammered on a lot about my favorite characters so I'll keep my favorite moments brief. I'll try not to make them shipping specific!
Merlin drinking the poison for Arthur in the poisoned chalice and Arthur's entire reaction, going against his father for merlin and everything.
Arthur's apology for what he did to the druids' camp.
Merlin confronting Uther's ghost in the death song of uther pendragon.
Lancelot getting knighted as himself.
Morgana's "and you, Uther, are going to hell."
Thank you for the ask! and again sorry for not noticing it earlier!
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hauntedfoxinternet · 2 years
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This is Chapter 9 for my Trollhunter Tales of Arcadia The Arcane's sister
Chapter 9 History in the Making
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I heard a horse neigh as we where now serounded by knights.
"What manner of sorcery is this?" Some one said in front of us as Douxie is to the left of me and Claire is to the right While Steve is to the right of her.
"Wow." Steve says under his breath as he stare's at the knight in front of us.
"Sir Lancelot, um--." Douxie try's to explain.
"He's so handsome." Steve mermers.
I just scoffed.
"I--We--." Douxie trys explaing but starts stuttering.
"Wait! Aren't you Merlins errand boy?" Lancelot said.
"Apprentice." Douxie corected.
"He's like an angel-man. Whoa!" Steve says but whimpers as a knight moves there sword toward his neck.
A knight then gasps and a horse neighs.
Lancelot clears his throat. "The devil--?" But he was cut off by Jim's stasis cryistel being craked open.
Jim groans as he's out of stasis. "What? How did I--."
"Jim! Are you okay?" Claire says as she goes over to where Jim is as I'm now by Steve's left side as he is still stareing at Lancelot.
But I was just thinking about other things like how to get back and how I could slap Merlin but not hurt him. And how I'm gonna get them back to see reason.
"Troll! Troll! To arms!" Lancelot yells to the other knights.
Douxie runs in front of us and says."Wait! Chill out, lads!"
"Chill? Out?" Lancelot questioned.
"Take a breath, all right? He's one of the good ones." Douxie explans.
"There are no good ones." Lanceolt says as he pushs Douxie out of the way. Douxie then grunts from how he was pushed.
"Monsters are forbidden in Arthur's lands. You'll hang before the king for your insolence." Lancelot says.
My face as he said "Monsters" morfhed into and sneer but it was just in my eyes.
"Whoa, he even talks like an angel. Wait, what's an 'insolence'?" Steve questioned before he grunts as where all picked up by the arms by the knights.
The last thing I heard was a horse neigh before we where moved out of the woods.
We where walking up to camelot as Steve was yelling about something.
"Let go of me! I want my one phone call!" Steve yells but grunts as a knight hit his back so he would move faster.
"This place was cooler flying." Steve mumbels.
As we walked up to the gates I could here the towns people talking amungst each other.
"Claire? What happened? What are we doing at a Renn faire?" Jim askes as he trys reaching for Claire but pulls back as his hand sizzles in the sunlight. "Aah!"
"Jim!" Claire yells as she runs to Jim as hes in a cage.
"We're prisoners in the, uh, Dark Ages. I'd say Mid 12th century, with no way home." Douxie answers Jim's questions.
"And my calmness is a little bit thin with Merlin at the moment…." I say under my breath.
Steve yelps as I say that.
"It's not the ideal situation." Douxie says with a srug.
"Ideal? Jim has a shard of evil magic in his chest!" Claire exclaims.
"Actually, I'm still hurt, but it feels different somehow." Jim says.
"Mordrax's miracles, he's right! When we jumped back in time, it must have frozen the corruption in place." Douxie says.
"Uh, seems I missed a lot. Don't you work at the cafe?" Jim questioned.
"Part time. And thanks for always tipping, by the way." Douxie shrugs.
"He's Merlin's apprentice. It's a long story." Claire explains.
"Hey Jim…" I say as I walk closer to the cage-cart thing hes in.
"Open the gate! We have foreigners awaiting judgment for King Arthur." Lancelot yells to a guard at the top of the gate as we all stop.
It then opens as douxie continue's talking. "Nah, no worries. Camelot's my old turf. Just follow my lead."
The guards are shouting things I can't hear clearly.
"Be inconspicuous." Douxie whispers to us all.
"Done." I say back as I have a calm but serious look in my eyes.
"Aye for prisoners! Coming!" A guard yells as we come to a stop at the castle doors.
Once where in the throne room
Jim grunts as he is pushed to the ground.
"Gunmar's threatening our borders. Double our patrols."
"Here are the trespassers, my lord." Lancelot bows.
"A troll? I thought I made it clear, your kind are unwelcome when I banished you all from the realm." Arthur spat at Jim.
"Don't you mean 'betrayed'?" Morgana says as she walks into the room.
Claire huffs next to me and Douxie and says as she steps abit. "Morgana!" Claire whispers but only me and Douxie could hear her.
"Inconspicuous, remember?" Douxie says from right next to me as he clears his throat as some knights look at us.
"You gave the woods to enchanted creatures like these. You'd break that vow?" Morgana says.
"These beasts care not, especially not this spy of Gunmar's!" Arthur says irritated.
I don't know for sure but I think my eye twiched at that.
"Stop calling me a beast!" Jim yells as he trys to get up but gets pushed to the ground with a grunt. "Wait. Gunmar?" Jim mumbels confused.
Douxie's voice squeks as he specks. "Your Highness, ahem, it's good to see you again." He says.
"And you are?" Arthur questioned.
"Hisirdoux, Merlin's apprentice. I assure you he is no threat." Douxie says as he bows.
"That's my judgement to make, boy." Arthur spat.
"Trolls are born of magic…' Morgana steps up and makes a flower with her magic as people in the room gasp.
'as you are of blood. How is their nature a crime?" Morgana questioned.
"When they ravage our lands, take our loved ones from us. I made these laws to hold this fragile land together, and they will be abided! Leave the wood, the penalty is death." Arthur says as he stands up.
'But we didn't leave the wood….and some trolls aren't like that some are peacefull not mean like Gunmar…..' I thought as I glared at Arthur but quikly stoped and calmed down a bit as I started to feel my hands tingile with energy that was purple and gold.
"Wait? No! Wait, wait! I'm not a troll!" Jim trys to break from the knights grasp on his arms as he is draged closer to Arthur.
"Whoa, hold on! Isn't this a bit hasty?" Douxie questioned paniced.
I try to walk forward but a knight holds me back along with douxie.
"Bring him to the sunlight." Arthur commands.
Jim grunts as he is brought to the edge of the shadows in the room from two knights.
"Jim! No!" Claire excaliamed but is held back by a knight.
Jim grunts again as he is pushed to the ground by the knights and starts screaming as the sun starts to turn him into stone.
"Stop!" Claire yells as the room gets darker and from the cornner of my eye I could see her eyes turn blackish-purple. 'Claire….' I thought.
Morgana gasps and says something nobody else could hear exept me.
"Morgana… is this your witchery? Cease it at once!" Arthur commends.
"Just because you're scared of him doesn't mean he shouldn't exist! It doesn't make him evil." Claire says as she breaks from the kinghts hold on her and runs to Jim's side and stands up.
"But it makes him dangerous. I will not fail to protect my kingdom!" Arthur says as he is getting angry with Claire.
"If you give into fear, that is failing." Claire says.
"The girl speaks truth. Please listen to her." Morgana says.
"Hmm…" Arthur mumbles before he sighs and sits back down and says. "Fine. I will show the troll mercy. He will live… in the dungeon."
Jim grunts as he is taken away.
"Jim--." Claire mumbles as Douxie holds her back as she reaches for Jim.
"He's alive. We'll get him out eventually. Just trust me." Douxie says from beside me as I'm on Claires right.(Douxie is on the left)
"As for you, Hisirdoux, shouldn't you be with Merlin?" Arthur questions.
"Uh, yes. Well, I was busy recruiting these three. They're here to help in the-- in the war! This is Claire of the House of Nunez. And… well, this is the village idiot."Douxie says as he points to Claire as she bows her head and the he points to Steve who was behind him.
"Oh, me? I'm just an 'in-so-lent' knight. All-state champ! Sir Steve of Palchukia!" Steve says as he trys to show his musles.
"And this is-." Douxie is cut of by me.
"My name is Isabella Crane your magistey." I say as I bow my head in show of respect that I only slightly ment but he didn't have to know that.
"Hmm, if you truly be friends of Camelot, then prove your worth. Hisirdoux, rejoin Merlin. Sir Steve, to Lancelot in the barracks. As for you, Mistress Isabella and Mistress Claire--." Arthur says his command but is cut of by his sister.
"I'll take the girl's. I could use new handmaidens." Morgana speaks.
"It is done. Now, out! I have a kingdom to protect." Arthur commands.
0 notes
hotdamnhunnam · 3 years
Note
Will Miller / 🌙🥺🧸
Thank you 🖤💖
Thanks for your request for my Emoji Fic Fest! 💗
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Poke the Bear
Pairing: Will “Ironhead” Miller x F!Reader Warnings: smut, swearing, angsty love + cuddly fluff + smutty stuff up on a mountaintop Word Count: ~1.6k Emoji Prompt: 🌙🥺🧸 (key words are in bold)
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“Hey there.”
Will glances up as you approach him where he’s leaning back against bags full of cash here on the mountainside, beneath the black sky stretching out so wide. He’s glad to see you just as ever but he steels himself to act as if he doesn’t really care. He answers playfully though he’s too pure to be a player. Too full of feelings that he can’t place anywhere. “Thought you’d know better than to come and poke the bear.”
Crack a slight smile while you grit your teeth against the bitter cold of the night air. Sit down beside him and as ever in his presence you can’t help but fucking stare. The low light of a crescent moon threads silver through the soft crop of his hair. The stars shine twice as bright when mirrored in those big puppy-dog eyes of crystal blue. “I didn’t poke you,” you point out but then poke your forefinger into his gloved hand so now it’s true. That hand that could as soon caress you as choke you. Will is just so dangerously hot yet also such a fluffy precious little baby and it really isn’t fair. “But hey, I gotta say you do look like a military teddy bear.”
He blinks, unsure just what to think. You’re close enough that he can breathe you and he’s grateful that the dim of night can hide the way his cheeks are flushing pink. You smell like home even though you live worlds apart—even when all you have are days spent fighting wars and running missions that are all doomed from the start—even when you’re part of the team toward whom he’s meant to hold just brotherly love in his iron heart. The scent of you isn’t supposed to be a comfort and a kink. The captain holds himself afloat above shit that he can’t emote but around you he fucking sinks.
You can’t begin to process all his thoughts. But you can tell he’s fighting something in his soul. Will is the sum of all the wars he’s fought, and so much more that makes him fucking whole.
Speaking again since there’s apparently nothing he wants to say, you nod over toward the spot several yards away, where the three other guys are sleeping off the day. “I guess you got tired of sleeping in a huddle?”
He replies as if that’d really been the problem when it hadn’t been at all. “Shit got a little weird for me when Frankie tried to cuddle.”
And at that you softly laugh, which is a problem ‘cause the softness of the sound hardens his shaft. Through his thick pants you haven’t noticed yet. “So over Catfish you’d prefer to cuddle with your gun instead?”
He bobs his head. “Yeah, pretty much.”
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And then—did you just inch a little closer to the captain? When the fucking hell did that happen? You’re close enough that he could just reach out and touch…
That is when you notice the stirring in his crotch. It’s almost hidden under all his clothes and gear but it’s so clear to you, and for some reason he’s not shifting gear to hide it from your view… your pussy clenches deep inside and eyes go wide as you just watch…
Your eyes then lift to meet the blue of his. In just one look there is such lust—yet also loyalty and trust—a lifetime’s worth and it’s the closest that you’ve ever come to knowing what love is.
You’re both so new to this.
What happens if we do this?
Will the world end if I just give you a kiss?
Can we save it if it does—can we go back to what this is? To what it was…?
There are no answers to the questions left unspoken in the air. It’s so damn cold, upon the broken edges of this mountain where his heart has made its stronghold. But you meet him there. You’ve come to poke the bear. And where your lips meet, there is heat, down to the core where your hearts beat and so much more that if the world ends you don’t even fucking care.
***************
We shouldn’t.
Even if I tried to stop I couldn’t.
Don’t.
I won’t.
I always knew you wouldn’t.
You always know everything. You just never show anything.
But now he’s showing more than he can even stand, and now it’s growing as you kiss him slow and deep, holding him like he’s yours to keep, and cup his scruffy cheek in your soft loving hand. He could just weep. With you his tears would finally have a place to land.
Your hands are bare—one of them lifts to comb your fingers through his gorgeous head of hair—just when the kiss began you’d taken off your heavy-duty gloves, so you can feel him as you shower him with heavy-duty love.
Will wants to do the same yet on some level he’s too scared to think of what his hands could do. That he might ruin you. He’d never mean to do you any harm, but if he just so much as holds you part of him worries you’d crumble into dust in these life-crushing arms.
A thousand times over, he’s suffered through the price of being such a fucking warrior. And you’re a warrior in your own right of course. But in some ways that makes it worse. Compared to you he’s not as well-equipped to handle—as far as he can tell—the scars of all these wars, and Will just doesn’t want his weaknesses and failures to poke holes into the fortress of your strength and become yours.
Most nights he feels he’s more fucked up than the whole force.
You’re here to show him that’s not true. As your right hand slides down his torso suddenly it dawns on him what you’re about to do. Will can’t have you do that for him if he’s not pleasuring you too. He’s pressuring himself now as he fumbles to remove his gloves though he’s not quite prepared to. Fucking scared to. Dying, trying, failing to believe that it’s okay for once to give in to how bad he fucking wants you.
But then your hands are on his gloves, as you keep kissing him so soft. Every kiss urging him in silence not to take them off. He’ll follow any order from that lovely mouth on you.
Murmurs against your lips, obeying yet still feeling like he needs to fucking touch you as your fingers work the belt strapped at his hips. “But I want to…”
Your left hand is still pressed against his cheek, cradling him till he feels strength in being weak. “I know. It’s okay, though. I got you.”
You know everything. And you show everything, too. Love this man more than anything, and just as bright as the stars above you, it’s so clear to you how much he loves you.
There’s no need to rush him. You just need to touch him. Can tell that he has fears and doubts, and you hope that you’ll have a whole lifetime to sort that shit out. As your hand finally reaches the meat in his crotch you pull back from the heat of his mouth, for a moment to watch him.
The face that he makes… it’s so pretty it aches—beauty far beneath his flawless surface—and knowing that he doesn’t think he deserves this, your heart fucking breaks.
Kiss the ridge of his jaw, kisses telling him he’s the most perfect thing you ever saw. Finally having the iron-hard pillar of Will Fucking Miller in your loving hand makes this love feel so real and so raw.
He’s so big it’s insane and your fist can’t encompass the whole massive girth. But you pump him for all that he’s worth, pulling slowly yet powerfully all the way down from the weeping wet tip to the soft patch of curls at the base back and forth.
It’s just your fucking hand, and already he’s never felt anything like this in all of his life and is sure that his heart will forever be yours to command. This is not what he’d planned. He’s the captain—he had tasked himself with ensuring that this never happened…
But so it has now, and he has to surrender somehow. And he does. He surrenders because… he stops seeking the reason as you kiss him harder and fist his dick faster till his iron head feels the buzz.
Has one hand firmly framing your waist and the other hand tangling up in your hair—both still wearing those gloves—that you’d told him to wear, until he felt prepared, to be bare—and it’s perfect this way because even through thousands of layers you’d still feel the love.
And the lust as it fucking erupts in your palm. His full sack tightly clenches then drenches your hand in his thick creamy cum. You moan into his lips, feeling his essence sticky and warm on your fingertips, milking out every last drop in your worshipful grip, so damn desperate to taste all of it as it splatters and drips.
Surely someday you will. But for now you stay still. Catch your breath. You’re both blissed out to death. Love gives life as it kills.
Now the bear has been poked, and deliciously stroked. You’re both thoroughly soaked. And you can’t fucking wait till he takes off these gloves and pokes you with the true love of Will.
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Emoji Fic Masterlist
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mca-attack21 · 3 years
Text
Damsel in Distress part I
This is a two part Arthur Pendragon x Reader based on the season two episode four of the show. Enjoy! Also you can find more of my writing here: Masterlist
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Merlin woke up to a feeling of foreboding. There was something in the air that made his stomach turn with dread. As he prepared to go wake his clotpole of a master, he tried to push this feeling out of the forefront of his mind. But even as he made it down to the kitchen there was this sense of apprehension in the air. He hoped that he would run into you somewhere in the halls and that you would be able to set his mind at ease. He however was not so fortunate.
Instead, he trudged onward, setting Arthur’s food down and opening his curtains before declaring a half-hearted, “Rise and Shine” before quickly gathering some of his clothes to be washed. Arthur didn’t even have time to come up with a jest before Merlin was out of the door. Merlin busied himself, quickly polishing Arthur’s armor and completing other daily chores. He mentally prepared himself to deal with the prince as returned to his door.
“Ah, there you are, I was beginning to think you were avoiding your duties. And what’s this?” he asked, watching as Merlin laid everything out, “You’re actually doing your job for once? Are you feeling alright?” Arthur joked.
His smile soon turned to a frown as Merlin ignored his comments. He shrugged it off and allowed Merlin to help him dress and put on his armor. While Arthur was looking over some papers on his table he noticed that Merlin had already made his bed and was starting to take the dishes from the table.
“Merlin, clearly something is upsetting you,” Arthur pointed out.
“It’s nothing sire, do you need anything else?” Merlin asked with his back against the door.
“No, that will be all,” Arthur dismissed, sending a concerned glance towards his friend as he exited.
Merlin took leave and went back to his chambers to help Gaius. He tried to occupy his mind, but nothing he did seemed to ease that burning pit in his stomach. Something had happened, was happening, or was about to happen, he could feel it.
Somewhat abruptly, he decided that he needed to see you. He went to seek out Morgana, as you were filling in for Gwen while she was taking care of her brother. He knew that wherever Morgana was, you wouldn’t be far away.
It was in his search that he saw a few of the knights rushing for an audience with the king. Something had happened. Merlin followed at a close distance and listened in.
“As you know Sire Morgana, her maid, and a few knights rode for a pilgrimage to her father’s grave early this morning. They were meant to be back by now, but there is no word or sign of them. That was until one of the patrols came across one of the knight’s horses. I am afraid something went wrong..”
“Send men out immediately. Arthur, you will lead the search, do whatever you must to bring her home,” the King ordered concerned for his young ward.
“Of course father,” Arthur answered before hastily making an exit. Merlin was right on his heels, and left to prepare their horses.
---
The mercenaries had both you and Morgana in a tent with a guard posted right outside the doors. The two of you had come up with a plan, it was risky at best. However you were both aware of the fact that the further away from Camelot you traveled, the less likely you were to ever see it again.
“Are you ready for this?” Morgana asked, preparing herself.
“As ready as I’ll ever be”
She was about to step forward when you grabbed her arm, “No matter what happens, I want you to take any opportunity you get. Don’t worry about me. Promise.”
“There is no way I’m leaving without you.”
“Morgana, you have to promise me. I cannot bear the risk otherwise.”
“I promise, but only as long as you promise me the same. We take any opportunity we get.”
With that, the plan was in motion. Morgana demanded that she be allowed to bathe and you both were escorted to the river by two of the men. You took the distraction of her undressing to manage to disarm one of the men and tossed Morgana the sword just in time for her to take out the other. The two of you started running back towards the castle, but there was another mercenary that intercepted you. Being as you were the one with the sword you opted to fight him, thankful for the many hours you had spent training with Arthur when you were younger. Morgana turned back to help you.
“Go, I will be right behind you!” you shouted, watching her hesitate, “Morgana go! Now!”
She turned and ran only looking back when she heard your scream in the distance. She quickly picked up her pace again and ran without looking back. She pushed through the aching in her muscles until she was faced with a crossbow aimed at her face. Relief filling her features as soon as she saw its holder.
“Where’s Y/n?” Arthur asked immediately.
Morgana merely shook her head and Arthur turned before his face could give him away. Merlin pushed down his own feelings and went to Morgana to make sure she was okay and offer her water and food. They set off immediately for the castle and soon came the reunion between Uther and Morgana. She begged him to send out another search party for you, after all you had saved her life.
“I am not going to waste the time and resources on a servant girl who has most likely already been executed as she provides no worth to the mercenaries without you,” he explained to Morgana. The words cut Arthur deeper than any sword ever had.
“Please, there is still a chance. Arthur?” she turned towards him hoping he would take her side.
“I’m sorry Morgana, father is right” Arthur managed before turning and exiting a very angry Merlin on his heels.
“How could you say that? How could you possibly agree with him after everything that you and Y/n have been through? I knew you were a clotpole, but this, this is unforgivable!” Merlin all but shouted.
“Merlin Shut Up!” Arthur raised his volume before regaining his composure as he entered his chambers, “Of course I don’t agree with father, but there was no point in making a scene about it. We will pack and leave at first light. We will find her, one way or another.”
Merlin was speechless for a moment, before uttering an apology for overreacting before. He was then quick to leave and make the preparations for the next day as it was already early night.
The next morning he was surprised to see that Arthur had managed to not only wake himself up, but dress himself. He was looking over maps as Merlin entered. Soon the two of them were off on their quest to save the damsel in distress. The rode for the better part of the day before coming to a caves that were inhabited by wilddeoren. As they made it through the other side Arthur let out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding, “I can’t believe the Gaia berries actually worked.”
“Hold up, you mean to tell me that you didn’t know that they would work before you lead us in a cave with giant flesh eating rats!”
“I mean not for sure, I heard stories, but I figured we’d find out one way or another.”
“Now you tell me?! Oh! Oh, what's that wilddeoren eating? It's all right. It's just Merlin. You trying to get us both killed?”
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't've risked your life like that,” Arthur said a new hint of seriousness in his voice.
“I didn’t realize that even the great Arthur Pendragon could fall victim to the blindness of love,” Merlin joked.
“What in the world are you going on about?
“Your feelings for Y/n. Why can’t you admit that you like her? I mean you are risking your life and even your father’s wrath just for a one in a hundred chance of rescuing her.
Arthur scoffed rolling his eyes, “She is just a friend, I’d do the same for you. In fact I seem to remember disobeying my father before in order to get you an antidote when you decided to get a few days off my drinking out of a poisoned chalice.”
“That was different and you know it. Besides, anyone who has ever seen the two of you together can pick up on it. Why is it so hard to admit you like her? It’s only me, just say it,” Merlin encouraged.
“I can't! How can I admit that I think about her all the time. Or that...I care about her more than anyone. How can I admit that...I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?” Arthur confessed struggling to keep his emotion in check.
“Why can't you?”
“Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings knowing that...hurts too much.”
“Who's to say nothing can happen?”
“My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?”
“You want to marry Y/n?”
“No! I mean maybe someday...I...I don't know...Regardless, it's all talk, and that's all it can ever be.”
“When you're King, you can change that. If she feels the same way, she would wait for you.”
“I can't expect her to do that, it’s not fair to her. Besides, we don’t even know if she’s alive,” he said regretting the words even as they left his mouth because they caused his stomach to drop.
“I’m sure she’s fine Arthur. She knows that you’ll come for her and that hope will keep her alive.”
The words seemed to offer Arthur some comfort, “Come on. We've got a long trek ahead. Oh, and Merlin...if you dare tell anyone about this, I promise I will make your life a living hell.”
“You mean more than you do now?” Merlin joked, earning a playful smack from his friend.
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That Should Be Me - Gwaine
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Prompt: @panda-duuu asked, Hello! How are you doing? :) May I request a Gwaine x reader one-shot where the reader is Lancelot's sister and Merlin's best friend (him and Arthur the only ones knowing that Lancelot she's his sister) and Gwaine being the flirt he is, always messing with her (in the good way) but one time he sees how close she is acting with her brother, getting Gwaine jealous. - basically jealous Gwaine and fluff! Thanks ♥
Pairing: Gwaine x Reader Word Count: 1,205 Synopsis: At one of the many feasts in Camelot, Gwaine spots the reader laughing with Lancelot, and instantly grows jealous of their connection.
"You must be really mad at that roll," Merlin said as he sat down next to Gwaine. The knight didn't look at Merlin, but could tell he was smiling.
"What?" he asked.
"The roll," Merlin said again. Gwaine finally looked down and saw that the roll he had grabbed from the center of the table was now a rolled up mush ball in his hands. He scoffed and tossed it down on his plate.
"What do you want, Merlin?" he asked glumly.
"Why are you staring angrily at them?" Merlin asked, motioning to the other side of the table where you and Lancelot were sitting, smiling at each other.
"I'm not," Gwaine said, forcing his eyes away from the two of you so clearly flirting, and back down at his meal in front of him. He knew he was cutting harder than necessary into his chicken, but he really didn't care. Not when you were looking at Lancelot like that. Not when you were laughing so hard at his jokes you had to put a hand to your stomach to keep your breathing even.
"Gwaine," Merlin began, but then stopped when he felt Gwaine's angry gaze turn to him.
"Why is she laughing so hard?" Gwaine asked, his eyes going back to you. "She never laughs at my jokes like that."
"Your jokes are mostly just shameless flirting," Merlin corrected. Gwaine rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Lancelot knows . . ."
"Knows what?" Merlin asked, leaning in closer. Gwaine saw that same dumb smile on his face and shoved him away.
"You don't know everything, Merlin," he muttered.
"You're right. What does Lancelot know?"
"He knows that I like Y/N!" he exclaimed, a little louder than normal. A few heads turned towards him, but they all went back to their business, not hearing him clearly. "He knows, I told him."
"And what did Lancelot say?"
"Not much. Be good to her. He seemed supportive," Gwaine said. He hated that his voice had softened as he said it. He rolled his eyes again and pushed up from the table. "I'll see you later, Merlin. I can't watch this any longer or I'll be sick."
He stalked out of the room, and no one bothered to stop him. He made his way to the training grounds, and had already started to get a couple hits in against the practice dummies when you cleared your throat. He turned to see you standing in the pale lantern light, your dress billowing behind you softly.
"Why'd you leave so soon? I didn't get a chance to talk to you," you said gently.
"You seemed busy. Forgive me, lady," he said, bowing. You could tell that he did it in a mocking way and rolled your eyes.
"Are you angry with me?" you asked.
"Why would I be angry?"
"I have no idea," you said, taking a step towards him, "But you are hardly even looking at me. Have I done something to offend you?"
"It's not you that I'm angry with," he said gently.
"Then who?"
"It's not for you to worry about, Y/N."
"You wish to be left alone," you said plainly. Gwaine couldn't find a response but just picked up his sword again. "Very well. I'll leave you be."
"Do I ever make you laugh like that?" he asked, unable to stop himself. You stopped in your tracks and turned to him, an expression on your face that he couldn't read.
"Like what?" you asked.
"Like Lancelot did," he said simply. You walked over to him and frowned.
"Is that why you're angry? Because I was laughing at what Lancelot had said?"
"You're just usually laughing with me," he said with a shrug. You shook your head and let out a little laugh.
"Are you jealous?" you asked.
"No," Gwaine lied.
"Well, good, I'm allowed to laugh with whoever I want," you said haughtily.
"Of course you are," he said. You started to walk away from him again, but he called out once more. "And if I was jealous?" You looked back at him with wide eyes.
"If you were jealous?"
"Would it mean anything to you?" he asked quietly.
"Every day, you tease me, flirt with me, bring me flowers, and then make fun of me," you began, before sighing. "I admit, for months now, I have no idea what to make of your actions. And now, you're jealous? Because I was laughing with Lancelot?"
"I'm jealous because of the way you were looking at him!" he yelled, his voice getting unnecessarily loud. You pulled back a little, but he saw a slight smile form on your face.
"Well, I should hope that you would never want me to look that way at you," you said. Gwaine sighed and looked away from your face.
"Very well. If that's how you feel--"
"Because he's my brother."
"He's your what?" he asked, his head snapping back up to look at you, his hair flopping around him.
"My brother. Lancelot is my older brother. The only people who know are Merlin, Arthur, and now you."
"Your brother," Gwaine repeated, still not believing what he was hearing for a moment. "So when you were laughing--"
"I was laughing with my brother," you said with a smile. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"No. No. I'm sorry, I had no idea."
"But it's good to know you were jealous," you said with a smile. Gwaine's face lifted a little, his head and heart daring to be hopeful.
"And why is that?" he asked.
"Because now I understand your actions."
"And what do you make of them?" he asked, taking a hesitant step towards you.
"It's a very childish man who teases and makes fun of a woman he has feelings for," you began, "But nonetheless, it's a man like that I have to admit, I have feelings for as well."
"You do?" Gwaine choked out.
"I do."
"You do," Gwaine repeated, smiling to himself. You laughed at his awkwardness. Gwaine felt his cheeks redden. He had teased you for months, acting more like a schoolboy than the knight he was. But he was determined to change that now. Now that you had confessed your feelings for each other.
He took a step forward and in a swift motion, wrapped an arm around your waist and brought his lips to yours. You folded into the kiss naturally, your hands moving to cup his cheeks. Gwaine felt like he could stay like that forever. Until he heard the cheering.
Together, the two of you turned slowly to see Arthur, Merlin, and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table, standing up the field, laughing and clapping.
"About time!" Merlin yelled. Gwaine shot him a vulgar expression, but he softened when he saw your smiling face.
"I guess this is one secret we won't be keeping," you said, smiling at him.
"I'm okay with that," he said, wrapping his arm around your waist again. "Are you?"
"Yes," you said, leaning up to kiss his cheek, "As long as you promise to keep making me laugh. And still, bring me flowers."
"I can do that," Gwaine said, "I will be glad to do that."
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chaotic-king-arthur · 3 years
Note
Hii I saw your requests open and I was hoping for some comfort 👉👈 I'd like to request for some Meliodas and Arthur HCs, in which Reader has lost something precious to them in the middle of battle (ex a candy bracelet, their long hair being cut or smth, not a person tho) and went absolutely ballistic and wreck everyone at light speed and in the end after making sure all their enemies has NOT escaped Reader just, collapse and cries. If anybody is making fun of them in their vulnerable moment they'll be smacked like a roach in one hit no matter the size (Escanor, or Ludociel even, who cares they need a moment). Feel free to disregard tho!
Hey! I apologize for how late this is, I was very busy with school and couldn't get around to this until now, and I was a little confused on the prompt, but I hope I got the gist of it and I hope this helps you feel better!
Note: this is just going to be Arthur for now. I couldn't think of anything for Meliodas but I might write something up for him in the future :)
(Also I wasn't sure if you wanted pre or post Chaos, so I went with pre-Chaos with a bit of foreshadowing ;))
Vengeful Arthur after a Precious Loss
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Arthur was already hesitant when it came to letting you join this battle. Camelot is relatively peaceful, so battles like these are..rare to see. If he wasn't already anxious, he's even more so now. He was worried that you would get seriously injured and wanted his knights and himself to take care of it, but you insisted, and he couldn't stop you.
He watched you like a hawk during the entirety of the battle, only because he wanted to be able to jump in and protect you if something happened to you.
He immediately knew something happened to you. As your S/O, he just knows when something is wrong. It's like a sixth sense.
Arthur rushes to your side as soon as he sees you in despair. It's absolute anguish to see you so distraught. He doesn't care about the battle at this point, all he cares about is you.
He notices that something is different about you/something is missing. He crouches down to your level and lifts your chin in order to force you into looking him in the eyes.
He looks..scarily serious. You've never seen him in such a state of anger. He's usually such a kind and gentle king, you've never seen such anger in his usually soft, violet eyes.
"Who hurt you?"
You point shakily towards one of the enemy knights. Arthur's face hardens, and he doesn't say anything else.
As he begins to walk in the general direction of the enemy, one of his knights from the Roundtable walk up to him. He seems concerned. He glances towards your crying figure, then back to Arthur. You can vaguely hear Arthur's firm tone past the screams and the sobs from your trembling figure.
Then, Arthur shouts something at the knight, and continues walking. You're so shaken up by what happened that you can't go to console him, but what he's doing is rather terrifying..
(And also kinda hot. Anyways-)
A few moments later, you vaguely hear the sound of a shrill scream. You don't have the strength to look up. The battlefield feels strangely silent as footsteps echo towards you.
When you look up, you see Arthur standing before you, sheathing his sword. His armor is covered in blood, his face the same state. He seems shaken, but still holds the same ferocity in his eyes that he did before.
"A-Arthur..what did you-"
"Shh..It's going to be okay, my darling."
He reaches down to you with his hand. It must have been the one he held his sword with.
"My knights can handle the rest of this. How about I take you back to the palace, hm?"
"B-But.."
The look in his eyes changes. Subtly, but you can see it.
You're not the only one who's overwhelmed.
You don't have a choice.
You take his hand, and he doesn't let it go.
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namelessayakashi · 3 years
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Merlin/Arthur Fic Rec List
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This is going to be a long post, so the recs start blow the cut!
I wanted to make a fic rec list!! So, here I am. Should be doing my uni homework that's due tonight but I am a terrible procrastinator.
I will probably make another one later on when I have more time that is more organized, but this one is in no particular order.
Last Updated 23 Sept. 2021
Also, quickly, a big thank you to @kickassfu for the making gif above for this post, ilysm Maf!!
Onto the fics!
Unsaid Love by AeonTheDimensionalGirl
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Return Fic; Angst with a Happy Ending
Wordcount: 4,022
Quick Summary: Songfic for the song Unsaid Emily from Julie & the Phantoms. Follows Merlin through the years as every century on Arthur's birthday more and more of a song is revealed to him when he goes to sleep. [Regency setting fic]
-- I am still not over this fic of @aeonthedimensionalgirl's, this fic is literally incredible. It is so good. I recommend reading it with Unsaid Emily playing on repeat in the background.
The Wisdom Of The Ages by tehfanglyfish
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Fluff; Getting Together
Wordcount: 4,200
Quick Summary: "Saving Arthur while disguised as Dragoon the Great was all well and good until the king decided the old sorcerer deserved a reward. On the run from Arthur, Merlin finds sanctuary in an elderly women's social club. What was supposed to be a one-time visit becomes a regular part of Merlin's week, as he returns each Friday to discuss recipes, commiserate about aches and pains, and lament the state of his love life." - Summary directly from AO3
-- Such a good fic, honestly, like. Merlin befriends Camelot's elderly ladies. Need I say more? It's great.
Forgetful Days by OnceFutureEmrys
Rating: General Audiences
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Fluff; Modern AU
Wordcount: 620
Quick Summary: "Arthur is very forgetful. Luckily, Merlin is there to help." - Summary directly from AO3
-- Seriously, @oncefutureemrys this fic is so cute and it's just great, def recommend it
Home in Your Arms by OnceFutureEmrys
Rating: General Audiences
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Pining; Fluff; Modern AU
Wordcount: 1,574
Quick Summary: "Arthur is missing Merlin when when he hears someone knocking on the door..." - Summary directly from AO3
-- Yes, another one from OFE, because I love her and her fics. This fic is so sweet, it is a modern University AU!
Ink On A Page by Hisa_Ai
Rating: General Audiences
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Pining; Fluff
Wordcount: 2,170
Quick Summary: Merlin writes his feelings on parchment, because if they are on paper, they are just words on a page, and not really his and didn't hold any meaning. One day Arthur notices him writing on one of these pieces of parchment.
-- Literally so beautiful. I loved this fic so much, and I recommend it so much. It is a canon era confessions fic, and it's just so good.
Fool Me Once by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Type: Humor; Magic Revealed; Dark Humor
Wordcount: 18, 728
Quick Summary: "Uther finds out about Merlin’s magic, but can’t seem to kill him. Merlin is just trying to protect Arthur. They become a begrudgingly effective duo. Arthur doesn't understand why they think he isn't noticing this." - Summary directly from AO3
-- I mean, can I just recommend this entire series? Seriously, the series this fic is in is just--excellent. I love this fic. It has Immortal Merlin and Uther Knowing about his magic. Seriously, though, just this series is amazing ahah Exceptionally Exceptional, Calling the Middleman, Returning the Favor, In Which Arthur Lets a Sorcerer Live and Regrets It, just to name a few, are incredible and I definitely recommend reading them.
for my beating heart is far too small for the entirety of my love for you by kickassfu
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Fluff; Established Relationship
Wordcount: 1,566
Quick Summary: Arthur is trying to learn a little magic to surprise Merlin at his coronation after their wedding.
-- So, I actually gave @kickassfu the prompt for this one. And oh my gods. How they did it? So soft, sweet. It is so good, and I 100% recommend you check it out!
That’s my Man by AeonTheDimensionalGirl
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Emotional Hurt/Comfort; Magic Revealed; Arranged Marriage; Angst with a Happy Ending
Wordcount: 2,287
Quick Summary: "By ancient, prophesied law, Arthur Pendragon must wed Emrys.
Problem is no one knows who they are." - Summary directly from AO3
-- I told you Aeon would be on here again! Love this fic so much. Love magic reveals, love arranged marriages. Seriously, this is great.
the house is flooded (as is his heart) by powered_by_notes
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Domestic Fluff; Return Fic
Wordcount: 2,281
Quick Summary: Arthur leaves to do some work in town, and Merlin runs into a bit of trouble with the cottage and their chickens while he's gone.
-- They have chickens. Enough said. No but really, this is so good, they live in a cottage and they have chickens and I definitely recommend this fic.
Emrys the Really, Truly Terrible by lindenwaverly
Rating: Teens & Up
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Magic Reveal, Emrys Reveal
Wordcount: 15,241
Quick Summary: Arthur has repealed the ban on magic, but Merlin still hasn't come clean about his identity. The issue comes in where, Arthur wants Emrys to be his Court Sorcerer
-- literally. cackled. this is so great, i loved this one. i read it in the morning and do not regret it one bit. some of the dialogue just killed me. it's a great fic, and you should definitely read it.
Arthur Pendragon's Business Judgment Rule by oddishly
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Woke Up Married
Wordcount: 27,459
Quick Summary: "Arthur and Merlin wake up married. Camelot is in the middle of treaty negotiations with a visiting king. It's okay, Arthur has a plan." - Summary directly from AO3
Lord Drake's Bequest by Pennyplainknits
Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Type: Modern Era, Fake Relationship
Wordcount: 9,966
Quick Summary: " "To my great-nephew Arthur I bequeath Tintagel Distribution, wholly and without reserve, save for one condition. You must marry, and stay married, for a period of no less than six months. You're a wonderful businessman Arthur, but a full life needs love and companionship, not just a string of affairs. Settle down young Arthur, and your life will be the richer for it." " - Summary directly from AO3
of all things magic, a cerulean haze by powered_by_notes
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warning: None Apply
Type: Magic Reveal
Wc: 7,092
Summary: "When Arthur goes missing, Merlin goes off on his own searching for him. He knows to look for things that the others simply do not and has things at his disposal that the others, again, simply do not.
. . .Magical things, of course.
In all his power, worry, anger, and relentless searching, he has no idea the missing king is being shown all the things that Merlin is doing with that power.
. . .Magical things, of course." - Summary directly from AO3
-- Loved this sm. Gods, I was supposed to read this ages ago, but only FINALLY just found the time to last night and it was so great. Arthur is kidnapped while out doing smth for Merlin and it's just really good.
On the Run by Sorceressofdragons
Rating: E
Archive Warnings: None Apply
Type: Modern AU
Wordcount: 18,155
Summary: After an unsuccessful attempt on their lives, new neighbours Arthur and Merlin decide to take off into the woods. Their destination is Morgana’s country estate, but these two city boys don’t know anything about survival—so if the foxes don’t get them, the lack of Monster Munch might. Featuring sex mishaps, weird food, walking in circles, and some obligatory cuddling. Oh, and Merlin is hung. - Summary directly from AO3
-- fucking KILLED me. This was just -- it was great. Literally, from the start I SWORE i knew the who and why only to discover I was totally off with the *why* and it was fantastic.
Hear Your Heart Sing (Love, Love, Love) by schweet_heart
Rating: Mature
Archive Warnings: None Apply
Type: Soulmate Au, Modern Au
Wordcount: 15,834
Summary: Merlin used to like the idea of finding The One – until he fell in love with Arthur Pendragon. Now he has a boss he can't date (but can't stop thinking about), a soulmate he can't find (who has terrible taste in music), and a best friend who can't believe he still hasn't got his act together (even though it's seriously not his fault).Sometimes, life is unfairly complicated, even without your soulmate singing painfully catchy tunes in the back of your head. - Summary directly from AO3
-- This one was just great. The soulmates, the songs, the misunderstandings--it was great. I loved this one.
Note to Idiot by tinylilremus
Rating: Teen & Up
Archive Warnings: None Apply
Type: Harry Potter AU, Modern AU
Wordcount: 9,762
Summary: Arthur and Merlin are members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad who work different shifts and share the same office. Arthur, who works the day shift, can't stand the rain. Merlin, who works the night shift, can't concentrate without it.
When they both get tired of changing the weather in the magical window in their underground office, is there a more British way to settle their differences than with a few passive-aggressive memos? - Summary directly from AO3
-- HP AU! A Ministry AU at that! I literally. I loved this so much. Merlin & Arthur are both in the AMRS, different shifts, and it's just hnsdsjdkh it's so good. Really, it's great. And we get to see them on the job a bit!!! Which is fun. This one is def a great one to read, esp if you like HP AUs
as stated previously, this list is being frequently updated with more fics!!!
186 notes · View notes
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Rest, Now
Prompt: I absolutely love your protective knights/protective Arthur works. Would you write your take on the aftermath of the Lamia episode? I'd love to see Arthur's reaction once he finds out what happened to Merlin. Bonus points for protective Gwen as well, and them knowing about Merlin's magic.
Ah yes, love this prompt. Protecc™ the Merlin pls
Read on Ao3
Warnings: none, just a sad Merlin
Pairings: gwen/merlin/arthur
Word Count: 2096
The second he sees the walls of Camelot, Merlin slumps in the saddle. Cara nickers in warning and he just manages to right himself before Arthur looks over.
“Are you sure you don’t need to be cured too?”
Merlin suppresses a shudder and shakes his head. Arthur gives him a once-over before turning back around. Gaius gives him a look.
“I’m fine,” he mutters, “just ready to get back home.”
“You and me both, Merlin.”
“Merlin?” Gwen reaches over to touch his arm, stopping when he flinches. “Whoa, Merlin, are you alright?”
“Yes, fine, just—“ he shakes his head— “little jumpy.”
He sees Gwen’s mouth harden a little as she shoots a glance at Elyan. She nods. Camelot’s door can’t close behind them soon enough.
The knights dismount first, each patting their horse as they lead them to the stables. Gwaine looks over his shoulder and reaches for Merlin. Merlin manages to hold still as Gwaine takes his arm.
“Are you sure you’re alright,” he asks in the soft voice normally reserved for dark nights when Gaius is out and Arthur is crueler, “do you need anything?”
Merlin shakes his head.
“Will you tell me if you do?”
He nods. It seems to satisfy Gwaine but not Elyan, who narrows his eyes.
“When was the last time you got looked at? Did Gaius check you out too?”
“Yes, yes, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” Is that Percival too? “You look like you’re about to fall over.”
There are too many of them. Too many. They could be hurt. They could still be susceptible to magical influences. Merlin’s magic could—he could—they’re still vulnerable.
They could still hurt him. He could—she could still have some hold on them. It wouldn’t be the first time Gaius’s magical knowledge has failed them.
“Enough!”
Gwen? Is that Gwen?
“You’re hounding him,” she scolds, pushing through the tangle of knights to put her arm protectively around Merlin’s shoulders, “knock it off. You’ve all had a rough go of it recently so go rest and let Merlin do the same.”
As Merlin watches the knights shuffle like scolded puppies, despite everything a corner of his mouth tugs up in a slight smile. Never let it be said that Gwen can’t make people do what she likes.
The only one standing in between him, Gwen, and getting as far away from here as possible is Leon. He looks at Merlin, splits him in two, peers into the very being of his soul. Then his eyes soften almost imperceptibly and he bows.
“My Lady,” he says, “Merlin. May you rest well.”
Thank you, Leon.
By the time Merlin’s shepherded away from the knights under Gwen’s wing, he looks up to realize that Arthur’s gone. A rush of worry slaps him in the chest.
“Shh,” Gwen whispers as she guides him through the halls, “we’re almost there. It’s alright.”
Arthur turns when they push open the door to the massive chambers, already out of his armor—how long was Merlin down there?—and coming around the table to take Gwen into a hug. Right. Merlin gives himself a shake and starts moving to get their food, do his chores.
Only to be thwarted by a strong arm wrapping around his waist and pulling him into a shoulder that smells light sunlight and metal.
“Where are you going,” Arthur mumbles, absentmindedly nuzzling into Merlin’s hair, “I’ve not had the chance to see you properly since this mess started.”
At the mention of what just happened, Merlin tenses. No. Arthur was never hurt by the Lamia. Arthur was never caught. Arthur is fine. Arthur is safe. Arthur isn’t hurt.
“Merlin? Merlin!”
He blinks, only for Arthur’s concerned face to swim into view in front of him. Next to him, Gwen wraps her hand around his, squeezing gently.
“Hey,” Arthur murmurs, tilting his head, “what’s the matter? You went somewhere for a moment.”
Merlin can’t do anything but blink.
“Come on,” Arthur teases gently, “surely it takes more than a hug to daze you?”
Something cold settles in the pit of Merlin’s stomach.
“They—they were—all she had to do was kiss them.”
“What?”
“All she had to do was talk to them, touch them, kiss them,” Merlin mumbles, “and they were hers. They changed, they didn’t care, they were—it was just a kiss.”
“Hey, hey—“ Arthur starts to hustle him toward the bed— “sit, Merlin, you look like you’re about to fall over.”
Gwen fetches a goblet and wraps his hand around it. “Drink, Merlin.”
“What is it?”
“Pear juice, your favorite.”
“Oh.” Merlin raises it to his lips. What’s wrong with him? Why is he acting like this? He’s fine.
“You just watched some of your closest friends succumb to powerful magic,” Gwen points out when he voices that, “you watched their minds change, that’s enough to shake anyone.”
“But they’re alright now, Merlin,” Arthur promises, “you’re all safe now. It’s dead, I killed it. You, and the knights, and Gwen, and Gaius, you’re all back here now, you’re safe.”
But was Merlin ever in any significant danger? He has his magic, there’s no way he would’ve been as easy a target as the others. Did he—did he draw attention to them by being himself and being there? Did she take the others because of him?
“Whatever you’re thinking,” comes Gwen’s stern voice, “stop it. Stop blaming yourself for things you can’t control.”
She gives him a pointed look and gestures to their entwined hands.
“Even you can’t fix everything, Merlin.”
“But I should’ve been able to fix this,” Merlin argues, his face contorting, “I should’ve—I—“
“And what would you have done, Merlin,” Arthur asks softly, “what could you do?”
Merlin’s blood runs cold. Next to him, even Gwen makes a little noise.
“No,” Arthur says firmly, “what could you have done? If you’re so intent on blaming yourself, what could you have done to make a difference?”
“Arthur!”
“Come on, Gwen, don’t tell me it doesn’t hurt you to see Merlin try and carry the whole world on his shoulders!” Arthur folds his arms and leans against the poster of the bed. “Tell us, Merlin, why should you be held accountable?”
“Arthur enough.” Gwen’s voice rings in the chamber as Merlin hides his head shamefully. “He’s already upset, he doesn’t need you to make it worse.”
“Don’t—“ he swallows heavily— “don’t fight, please. Don’t fight, not now.”
“We’re not fighting, Merlin,” comes Arthur’s soft voice again, followed by a warm hand cupping his cheek, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Why don’t you go get dinner then,” Gwen says, only a little less frosty, “as part of your apology.”
Arthur only sighs and does as bid. As soon as the door closes, Gwen leans forward and wraps him in a tight hug, letting him gasp heavily into her shoulder.
“Shh, shh,” she whispers, carding a soothing hand through his hair, “shh, Merlin, it’s alright, I’d never give up your secret, I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“He—he asked, Gwen, I—I can’t—what if he knew?”
“I would never let anyone hurt you,” she promises fiercely, “you know I wouldn’t. That includes Arthur.”
“I won’t be able to keep from telling him someday, Gwen!”
“And when that day comes, I will be by your side and he will get down on his knees and thank you for all that you’ve done.”
“He won’t, Gwen. He’ll be so angry.”
Gwen pulls back enough to take his face in her hand. “He may be. For an instant. And then he will thank you. And you know he cares for you far too much to truly be angry at you.”
Merlin’s lip wobbles.
“Oh, Merlin—“ she pulls him back into her embrace— “I’ve got you, honey, it’s alright.”
“Alright, so I’ve got dinner, how are we—Merlin?”
There’s the sound of plates clattering to the table and rapid footsteps before another strong set of arms surround him.
“Oh, sweetheart,” comes Arthur’s warm concern, “what’s so bad? I’m sorry if I pushed too hard, I worry, shh, it’s alright, don’t cry.”
Gwen presses a kiss to his forehead as Arthur’s arms slip lower to wrap around his waist.
“We’re right here, Merlin, we won’t leave you.”
“You’re safe, sweetheart, I’ll look after you, we both will.”
“Shh, shh, honey, it’s okay.”
Merlin buries his head in the crook of Arthur’s neck and sobs. Arthur lets out a comforting noise and his hand comes up to cup the back of his head. He strokes gently, finding the soft spot that makes all of Merlin’s muscles relax on cue. Arthur moves the boneless pile of Merlin to the bed proper, scooping the man into his lap and letting Gwen shift close enough to lay her head between both of them.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Gwen promises, her hand wiping away one of Merlin’s tears, “you can cry, we’ll be right here.”
Arthur’s chin comes to rest on top of Merlin’s head, creating a little bubble of intimacy here, in his arms, sheltered in the lea of him. Merlin is taller than him—a fact he never lets Arthur forget—but the way he’s curled in on himself lets Arthur wrap protectively around him.
There is nowhere safer in Camelot.
After a long while, Gwen pulls away, murmuring something about making sure the food doesn’t spoil. As she vanishes behind the curtain, Arthur slowly shifts to sit Merlin on the end of the bed, sliding off to stand in front of him.
“Shh,” he hushes when Merlin whines in protest, “I’m just grabbing the handkerchief. I need to wipe your face off.”
Gentle fingers tip his chin up and the cloth is soft against his face. Arthur is patient, patting and dabbing up the mess and leaning down so Merlin can wrap his fingers in his tunic.
“There,” he murmurs eventually, setting the handkerchief aside and cupping Merlin’s face in his hands, “a little redder than normal, but other than that…”
Merlin swats halfheartedly at him. Arthur chuckles before he pulls away. Merlin opens his mouth to ask where he’s going when—
His mouth hangs when Arthur lowers himself carefully to his knees in front of him.
“I truly didn’t mean to scare you,” Arthur says in a hushed voice, taking Merlin’s hands in his, “earlier. I just wanted you to see that you—you don’t have to blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. You’re still human, Merlin.”
“Arthur—what—what are you doing?”
“What I should’ve done long ago.” Arthur’s mouth tugs up. “You and Gwen aren’t quite as quiet as you think you are, you know that?”
Merlin’s eyes widen. “You—you heard?”
In response, Arthur takes Merlin’s hands and presses them to his chest, squeezing lightly. His smile softens.
“Thank you, Merlin,” he whispers and the words sink deep into Merlin’s chest, “and no, this wasn’t your fault either.”
“How—how long have you known?”
“I’ve suspected since the troll,” Arthur murmurs, standing and pulling Merlin back into a cuddle, “and I’ve never been angry since the Cup of Life.”
He squeezes Merlin gently.
“So don’t be so hard on yourself, sweetheart,” he whispers, “or else.”
Merlin sobs out a laugh, clutching desperately at Arthur, not angry Arthur, not upset Arthur, warm Arthur, caring Arthur, safe Arthur. “Or else what?”
“Or else I’ll have to make you take care of yourself.” Arthur scrubs his knuckles lightly over Merlin’s head. “So go sit with Gwen and we’ll eat or I’ll carry you there.”
He pulls back, just enough that he can see Merlin’s face and pat his cheek.
Merlin swallows. “Is that a threat?”
Arthur raises an eyebrow. “You asked for it.”
Gwen looks up when Arthur carries a Merlin to their dinner table and sits him down, reaching to take his hand and place it in hers. She giggles, pulling Merlin close enough to kiss his forehead, looking at his smile.
“That’s much better,” she notes, “now eat. You’ve had a long day.”
He’s had a long few days, honestly.
But as he starts to eat, as he and Arthur trade quips across the table, as Gwen’s hand stays warm in his, he may be able to rest tonight.
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thenerdyindividual · 3 years
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Okay so yesterday @sterlingdylan made this awesome analysis post about BBC Merlin, stating that it was neither Arthur’s nor Merlin’s fault that Merlin didn’t reveal his magic, something I 100% agree with.
Unfortunately, this post also got derailed by a discussion comparing Arthur’s attitudes to homophobia. Now, to be clear, I do think there are some parallels there. Writers will look to real world bigotry in order to write their fantasy bigotry better. For BBC Merlin, the bigotry does feel a lot like homophobia because magic is: a part of the characters and not something they chose, something the characters must hide or be put in danger, something characters worry makes them evil/monsters, etc. However, parallels are not the same thing as an allegory.  If we try to take BBC Merlin as a direct allegory for homophobia it falls apart because there are genuine reasons for people to be afraid of magic in the canon because it can and has killed people, controlled people, and hurt people. Queer people can’t do any of that with their queerness. Our queerness is fundamentally harmless, whereas magic is not. Also, as sterlingdylan discussed last night, if we take it as an allegory it sets up a concerning narrative about “closeted” Merlin being good, and “out” other characters being bad. Which is injecting a really extreme and problematic moral into the show, and not something we as an audience should be placing on the shoulders of the writers.
I don’t think we need to take BBC Merlin as an allegory for anything, It is enough to discuss parallels to our lives, and examine how the bigotry functions in the context of the show itself. But If we are going to be comparing it as directly as possible to something in our daily lives, then it would probably be more accurate as a narrative about extremism and essentialism. It is still an imperfect comparison because usually extremism and essentialism are not founded on genuine concern, but stick with me. It gets long so the essay is going under the cut.
Uther experienced the death of his wife at the hands of magic. Now, we know that he and Ygraine asked Nimueh for help conceiving. Whether they fully knew the cost or if Nimueh downplayed it is neither here nor there. What is relevant is that Uther was given proof of magic’s ability to harm him and the people he loved. Now, someone who did not hold the black and white “The King is always right” attitude might have taken this instance and pushed for regulation of magic rather than a ban. However, as we witness in later episodes in which he locks up his own children for defying him, Uther can never admit he was wrong so rather than say it was a bad idea to use magic in the way he did, he convinced himself that it wasn’t him who made the mistake, but that magic itself was an inherently evil corrupting force, and started the purge. He took an extreme oppositional view towards magic.
On the flip side, much of the narrative of the magic half of this battle is also about extremism. They are, rightfully, infuriated by and afraid of Uther, but they also let their anger at Uther shade their perception of Arthur. Morgana, starting in season one, was already set against Uther, but was not yet set against Arthur. However, when she met Morgause her train of thought went from justice, to revenge against Uther, to a desire for power, and finally a deep desire to see Arthur dead. Perhaps in some way Morgause really does care about creating a just world for magic users, but she clearly also has a desire for power (as seem when she encourages Morgana to stage a coup and take the throne for herself instead of try to teach Arthur, when he’s demonstrated before a willingness not to lock step with Uther) which are two things that aren’t compatible.
Morgause encourages Morgana to see the worst in the people around her, and encourages her to give into acts of extreme violence against people who don’t necessarily deserve it (ie all the peasants she was prepared to starve when they disagreed with her when she took the throne at the end of season three. A move remarkably similar to something Uther would have done). Morgana no longer stops to consider the times that Arthur stood against Uther, and comes to view Arthur not as someone who can be shown the bigger picture, but as someone inherently against magic rather than the violence it can do. This cycle does not stop with Morgana either, it also reaches Kara who refuses to see the good in Arthur even though he has shown his willingness to make peace with members of the Old Religion (druids), and was prepared to let her get away with attempted murder simply because Mordred and Merlin asked him to show her mercy.
Kara and Morgana both have come to view Arthur as inherently violent and set against magic the same way Uther came to see magic as inherently violent and set against Camelot. Neither of which are accurate views on the situation.
Arthur is the one who was prophesied to break this cycle of extremism and essentialism, and we can see him attempt to try. There are multiple occasions in which he considers that magic may not be evil. Off the top of my head there is the scene after Morgause reveals the true circumstance of his birth, the scene in which he allows Dragoon to attempt to heal Uther, and the scene where he asks Merlin if he should legalize magic in order to save Mordred. In all of these cases someone (usually Merlin) prevents him from exploring that thought deeper. Even so, he does make great strides towards taking up the proper nuanced view needed for this situation. He takes Camelot from a kingdom that relentlessly hunts down and persecutes magic, to a kingdom of fair trials and peace with druids.
Sadly, no one can meet him in the middle. Morgause and Morgana’s insistence on trying to take him down and harm the people closest to him prevents Arthur from learning the good aspects of magic just as much as Uther’s propaganda did. Merlin is the only sorcerer in the entire show not to be set against Arthur, and therefore the only one who could show Arthur how to break this cycle, but doing so presents no small risk to his own and Arthur’s safety. If Arthur took it badly and either banished or executed him, it would effectively prevent Merlin from protecting him. This leaves Arthur trying to draw his own conclusions, and he never gets the additional information that magic can, and is, used for beauty and healing. He can only operate on what he has seen, and what he has seen is magic being used against himself and Camelot repeatedly.
Arthur can’t be held responsible for not incorporating information he isn’t given into his view on magic, and Merlin can’t be held responsible for not risking himself to teach Arthur. We can, however, hold the people around them responsible for creating an environment that prevents Arthur from learning on his own, and prevents Merlin from teaching him. The fault lies primarily with Uther for kicking this whole chain of events off in the first place, and in Morgause who co-opted a genuine struggle in order to gain power. Morgana is also responsible for letting her view of Arthur (someone she has seen stand for justice) be corrupted. In the end the fault lies neither with Arthur, nor with Merlin. The fault lies in the very human tendency to view the world in black and white, and react with violence against those deemed dangerous (despite how much that title is or is not earned).
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nikibogwater · 3 years
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What did you think of Nari's characterization in ROTT?
Disliked it, as with most of the other things in the movie.
The short version of it is this: In Wizards, Nari's primary character traits were empathy and compassion for others. In Rise of the Titans, her primary character traits seem to be just a general lack of awareness for what's happening around her, and a tendency to make light of very serious situations.
Now before I get into the long-form answer, I will preface by saying that the writers of RotT were at a severe disadvantage when writing for characters who were introduced in Wizards because Wizards was still in production at the time. So I understand why Nari ended up feeling like a completely different character in the movie, and I am not shaming anyone for it. But the fact of the matter is that I found her characterization in Wizards to be much more appealing, and if that characterization had carried over to Rise of the Titans, I think I would've had slightly warmer feelings towards the movie. But let's get down to brass tacks now, because I've actually been dying to talk about this. This is gonna be a loooooong boi, so I've put everything under the cut to avoid clogging people's queues (I'm just really passionate about this bean goddess, okay? 😅)
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When Nari is introduced to us in Wizards, she is quietly watching the arrival of our heroes at the castle. She doesn't make herself known to them, but it is clear she is very interested in what's happening. She does not make any other appearance until the Arcane Order launches their assault on Camelot.
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Nari's first spoken words are, "Merlin! This is all my fault!" and as one would expect after hearing this, she is very obviously distressed and feeling guilty for putting everyone in danger. Merlin tells her they need to escape to the past, and that he needs her help in order to do it. Nari's response is to begin charging her magic as she says "I will do what I can."
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After our main characters are thrown back in time, we're introduced to Nari as she was in the past. Although she is allied with the Arcane Order in their war against humanity, it's clear that she displays the least amount of malice out of the three. In fact, it's revealed that Nari has always been rather fond of humans, and has even reached out to them in friendship a number of times. After resurrecting Morgana, Nari is the one who does most of the explaining and introductions, showing a bit of a playful/mischievous side as she pokes fun at Bellroc and Skrael. ("I told you she would, Skrael! So old, and they still haven't learned manners.")
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During the Battle of Killahead, we see Nari watching the war from a distance, and it's clear from the expression on her face that she is not liking any of this. Though she does briefly aid her siblings when they join in the battle, she reveals afterwards that she can sense the pain and suffering they have inflicted on others--and she doesn't believe the Order's ambitions are worth that. She abandons the Order, presumably spending the next 900 years in hiding, before seeking Merlin's protection.
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Once our heroes have returned to the present, Nari becomes a bit more involved in the plot. She expresses genuine sorrow over the destruction of Arcadia Oaks High ("Your beautiful school-home was crushed!") and is clearly distressed by Jim's agony as the shard in his chest begins to work its dark magic. ("Poor soul! Your corruption...I feel it worsening.") After Jim is taken by the Order, we can see her comforting Toby in the background. She continues to show great concern and empathy for the people around her, and is still eager to help wherever she can, though her magic doesn't seem to be combat-oriented. She is also shown to be somewhat timid, hiding behind Merlin or Claire during confrontations with the Order--she is very clearly terrified of her old allies, and seems to want to avoid direct contact with them. When Douxie is struck down by the Order and is falling to his death, it is Nari who runs to try to save him before anyone else--apparently, if someone is in need, Nari's first instinct is to rush to their aid.
So, from all of that, we can gather that Nari, as she was characterized in Wizards, is intelligent, curious, cautious, gentle, empathetic, and very aware of what's going on around her. She is also a little playful and wild, but never to the point of disregarding what's happening or how others are feeling.
In Rise of the Titans, Nari remains consistent with this characterization for all of...seven minutes.
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Initially, Nari is still very much herself in this scene (though I wish we could've been told what exactly made her want to stop running and face the Order head-on. Again, in Wizards, it was abundantly clear that that was the one thing she did NOT want to do). When Douxie expresses his anxiety about the situation, she takes him by the hand, offers him a reassuring smile, and says, gently but firmly, "No. No more running, Douxie." Excellent interaction. 10/10. Five stars. That's also the only time in the movie where Nari displays any level of awareness regarding Douxie's (or anyone's) feelings/wellbeing.
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The body-swap scene is when Nari's character just completely swings in the opposite direction, and she becomes near-unrecognizable as being the same character from Wizards. Douxie, being our favorite Self-Sacrificing Idiot, swaps bodies with her at the last possible second, causing the Order to take him instead. Nari, now stuck inside Douxie's body, seemingly doesn't think much of this development at all. In fact, her first response is to giggle playfully. UM, NARI. NARI, SWEETIE, YOUR BIG BROTHER IS IN THE CLUTCHES THE MOST EVIL BEINGS KNOWN TO MANKIND. LIKE, THEY LITERALLY KILLED HIM THE LAST TIME HE RESCUED YOU FROM THEM, WHY ARE YOU NOT MORE WORRIED ABOUT THIS?! Up until this point, Nari has never been shown to underestimate the Arcane Order--she seems all too aware of the kind of violence and destruction they are capable of, which explains why she was so terrified of them in Wizards. But in Rise of the Titans she seems to just....not really care anymore? The entire time she is in Douxie's body, she doesn't express the slightest amount of concern for him, or for anyone around her. She just keeps doing...cutesy forest gremlin things, like singing to her flower, batting at a light fixture, and antagonizing Archie (she's definitely not the only character who was severely lacking in empathy in this movie, but this is an essay about Nari, so I'm not going to bother touching on everyone else). This is a direct contradiction to her characterization in Wizards, where she was shown to care deeply for the people around her, and displayed genuine distress whenever they were in danger or suffering.
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Nari also persists in being pointlessly cryptic for the entirety of the movie because....reasons. Before the Order breaks Douxie's body-swap spell, she tells Jim, "Trollhunter make ninth configuration--the Kronosphere will make right." Which, of course, doesn't help him in the slightest. And when they finally succeed in rescuing Nari, she doesn't elaborate or explain this at all. She just says it again. Listen, I can get behind Nari being Insanely Ancient, and maybe a little out of touch with modern trends, but I'm fairly certain that Wizards Nari at least knew how to communicate. She never showed any inclination towards being cryptic or mysterious on purpose, at least. We're never given any explanation for Nari's sudden lack of clarity, so I guess it was just there for plot reasons. Which makes it that much more infuriating.
Also I don't know why, but the little "Hehe!" Nari does when Douxie pulls her into a hug kind of grinds my gears, because Nari, love, this is a really serious moment, you were just snapped out of mind control and your siblings are currently rampaging across globe in giant magical mechs, why are you giggling like a four-year-old and not, idk, SOBBING IN A MIXTURE OF RELIEF AND HORROR BECAUSE YOU WERE ALMOST PART OF WHAT DESTROYS THE EARTH?! AS THAT WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO WHAT JUST HAPPENED????!!!!! But that's just a stupid little nitpick.
Now this is not me saying that Nari's characterization in the movie is objectively bad. Actually, it's kind of fitting for the Tales of Arcadia brand of humor--Super ancient demigoddess who houses the power to completely destroy the earth is also kind of a clueless ditz and needs to be babysat like a toddler. If she had not been introduced in Wizards, I would've been fine with this. But, much like the rest of the movie, Nari's vastly different characterization felt a tiny bit like a betrayal, and it consistently bothered me in every single one of her scenes. It also kept me from feeling the full impact of her death--seriously, I didn't cry at all when she was killed. Which....yeah, I'm just as surprised as you are.
So anyways, if you've made it this far, thank you so much for the ask, Non! Normally I have a bit more self control than to just....essay-dump like this, but honestly I've been thinking about this for way too long, and I had to get it out of my system. 🥴 And to anyone who really liked Nari's characterization in RotT--that's totally valid! Again, I don't think it was a bad characterization. It was just very inconsistent with her character as she was introduced to us in Wizards. And I just happen to prefer Wizards Nari over RotT Nari. 🌿✨
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where-dreamers-go · 3 years
Text
Merlin x Fem!Reader (Soulmate AU) (Text reupload)
(A/N: Yes, I know I already have this up here, but it’s a DeviantArt link and it’s bothering me because it’s an external link. So...can’t take away the link aspect because it won’t let me save it. SOOO...here’s an insert reader from 2017 and my first attempt at a soulmate au.
Warnings: Minor angst?, fluff.
Word Count: 3,773 words)
“I’m telling you, Gaius, I felt something. It has to be magic if I woke up like that,” Merlin stood in front of his room as his older companion prepared breakfast.
“Merlin,” Gaius sighed and turned to the young man, “It could simply be nothing, but.....if you feel so strongly about it we should keep ours eyes open.”
Merlin simply nodded with a minute smile, not informing Gaius that, despite all they’ve been through, he was strangely looking forward to discovering the source of his new curiosity.
The young sorcerer went back into his room to dress for the day and giving the world a hopeful smile as his blue eyes peered down at his golden mark over his heart.
“Someday,” Merlin whispered to himself before pulling on a colored shirt.
* * *
Hide it.
You had to hide it.
The gold, the shape, the details.
A mark that helped bring souls together must be hidden.
Everyone else did since as long as their ancestors could remember. A unique mark appearing on everyone some time after birth, an image that would be perfectly matched to their soul mate. Whether the mark actually resembled something or was a pattern of shapes or swirls. It was said to be a powerful experience to meet one’s other half especially upon realizing who each other truly were.
Regardless of one’s mark, the pair were usually still bound by the laws of whichever kingdom they lived in. A ridiculous notion that you didn’t bother yourself with much. You only pitied those who were unlucky enough to deal with strict kingdoms where it was difficult between soul mates with different statures in life or overall trickier situations.
You were one of those lucky enough to live in Camelot, but even more fortunate to have been granted the opportunity to work in the castle as a servant. It was a drastic change from tending to the farms your family and neighbors grew for many decades.
A newly adjusted life as a castle servant gave you many opportunities during the day to daydream about your possible first encounter with your special someone as you went about your duties.
But how in the world were you suppose to find your soul mate when yours was inconveniently located over your heart?
It wasn’t as if your soul mate was going to display theirs. Well, you certainly hoped not.
You preferred not to tell anyone outside of your family about your golden dragon mark on your chest lest they scrutinize you for having a magical creature as your mark. Some marks weren’t even anything specific as an animal let alone a silhouette of a flying dragon. Your family liked to relish in their hopes of it meaning that your soul mate was a Pendragon, however deep down you knew that wasn’t true. Not just because King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were widely known as soul mates by now, but how the meanings of the marks went much deeper than names or outside appearances. They were symbols of who they were and you were honestly worried for your other half because of living where the majority of kingdoms outlawed magic and if your mark implied as such, you hoped they could take care of themselves enough not to be put to death before you met. If only you knew where to find them because even a peaceful kingdom such as Camelot forbid magic of any sort.
Working in the castle was still a learning experience that involved memorizing directions and scheduled times for cleaning rooms or simply changing sheets on a bed before washing them in a large barrel of water.
Not unlike your current state as you hauled a hefty load of used bedsheets in a basket from more than one bedchamber. This week had brought a number of visitors who sought to greet the new queen of Camelot; although they were a bit late by a few months.
Many of the castle’s servants, like yourself, were scampering around like ants on a daily quest. You had met a few already during your short time there, but remembering their names was more of a challenge than learning where to clean the laundry.
You continued walking with the basket wrapped in your arms as you centered your direction on getting to the lower levels of the castle. Taking a turn, you gingerly made your way down the stairs, being careful to the placement of your feet on each step as your eyes focused on the stone beneath you. The last thing you wanted was to bust a kneecap or make yourself look like a fool if you couldn’t even handle walking down about a dozen steps. More than halfway down the stairs, a patch of skin on your chest prickled and heated into a burn causing you to loose focus on anything else, including the placement of your footing.
“Ah!” You felt the ever fearful sensation of falling ripple through you.
Your body twisted to the left as gravity pulled down on your legs, the basket of dirty sheets leaping from your grasp. Your positioning was quickly leading the fall to surely be on your side in a painful trip instead of toppling headfirst.
(E/C) eyes were trained onto the steps as you closed the distance with hands hardly ready for the impact that was deemed so evident.
It never came.
Well, not from the stairs at least.
A pair of arms were braced under yours before you even registered anyone was near you. Their blue shirt filled your vision as you now felt how your savior was supporting you from even sitting on a single step. Being as your legs were the only part of you touching the cold stone.
“Are you alright?” A strained male voice asked, you figured it was from the position you found yourselves in, but the voice was soothing nonetheless.
“I’m fine,” you answered, not even positive if you were lying or not.
You didn’t fall, which was a plus. Yet your mark was burning into a searing pain with your blood rushing through your veins as rapid as a fleeing rabbit. Too much so for simply almost falling. Your mark had never done that before and you knew that it wasn’t a normal occurrence.
“Thank you,” you said, finally looking up to meet a pair of gleaming ocean blue eyes. A fluttering in your stomach added to the overwhelming feelings that coursed through your body that severely increased in this young man’s presence. One of whom you have never met.
“I’m Merlin,” he smiled as he pulled you to your feet.
The name registered in your mind in a snap, you had heard about him from the other castle servants about how he was the King’s loyal manservant with a name that seemed to stick in your mind.
His hands slid down to your hands before slipping away hesitantly and their comforting warmth they left on you slowly faded.
“I’m (Y/N),” you said, glancing up at him, your hand subconsciously going up to press onto the fabric of your dress that hid your mark underneath. As much as you tried, you couldn’t ease the stinging as it kept your attention.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Merlin asked bringing his hand up to copy your movements. His blue eyes suddenly bouncing between the two of you.
You didn’t reply, you couldn’t, and every part of you was screaming know if he felt it too. The pulling, the aching itch of your bright mark, and the undeniable need to be closer despite only just meeting him.
Was he your match?
Azure eyes bore into your orbs eagerly waiting yours short reply and full of hidden knowledge. His brown jacket moving shakily upon his now heaving chest.
“It burns,” you whispered, hand pausing its movements.
“Your mark?” His voice came out low, tickling your insides into a shudder.
Again you were silent, but you nodded. Oblivious to the by-passers having to walk around the pair of you at the foot of the stairs.
“A golden dragon,” Merlin whispered so quietly that your ears barely caught his three words.
But those words had your eyes widening to saucers and lips parting for what little breath you had.
Merlin took ahold of your free arm, pulling you away from the stairway before almost tripping over the dirty sheets. Using his brown boots to repeatedly kick the scattered fabric and basket aside to be out of the way of others.
Now beside a wall, the two of you stood in front of one another with the fabric mess at your feet.
Brushing aside his red neckerchief, he adjusted his shirt enough to pull the fabric down to his left to reveal a very golden dragon. A shining silhouette of a flying dragon’s profile was imprinted above his heart, an exact copy of your own soul mate mark.
Neither your eyes nor your mind could fully believe it was real. Yet your heart and soul was singing with rejoice at the discovery.
You raised a trembling finger to Merlin’s mark and tentatively touched it. A jolt went up your arm at the skin contact and he let out an uneven breath. Being mesmerized by the sight of it all would be an understatement, what with your shaking knees. Not only did you find a matching mark--your soul mate was seemingly happy and healthy. You would be more than glad to spend a few hours tracing your fingers along the delicate shapes on his warm skin.
An equally heated hand went up to cover your own with the thumb rubbing gentle strokes on your knuckles.
“May I see yours?” Merlin asked, breaking you out of your trance and focusing on his blushing cheeks.
Only now did you realize how close the two of you were standing from each other. Shoes mer centimeters from touching and Merlin’s breath billowing your hair.
Your eyes flickered over to where people were still milling around. Of all places, you and your soul mate, Merlin, had to meet at one of the most used staircases in the entire castle. That being said, you weren’t too keen on anyone seeing you physically disclose the location of your mark. Even if the neckline of your simple dress made the task rather simple.
“It’s okay,” Merlin softly shifted you to have your back to the stairs and effectively blocking your actions from any prying eyes.
Your fingers worked on their own accord, pulling the (F/C) fabric across your skin the short distance to reveal your still stinging mark.
“We are soul mates,” he whispered, “I knew something was different in Camelot.”
Tilting your head at him, you watched as Merlin’s mouth morph into a triumphant smile. You half expected him to touch your mark as you did with his, but he wrapped you in his surprisingly strong arms instead. A most welcome gesture being as you’ve never felt more relieved and happy in your entire life as you hugged your arms firmly around his waist.
There was a lightness in your chest that could have sent you floating to the ceiling as you nuzzled your cheek into your soul mate’s chest. Safety and joy emitted into you like the warmth from a fire. One of Merlin’s hands combing themselves into your hair while his other held you securely to him by the waist.
“I’m so glad I moved to Camelot,” you mumbled into his shirt as you squeezed your arms tighter around him.
You were sure the grin on your face would become permanent with Merlin resting his chin on the top of your head despite the tears threatening to roll down your cheeks.
“MEEERRRRLIIINNN!”
A spark of fear shot through you at the sound of the booming, annoyed voice. Your other half on the other hand didn’t seem fazed by it in the slightest. If anything his grip on you only grew tighter.
“Merlin! There you are,” King Arthur came from around the corner spotting his manservant. “What are you doing?” He pulled a face as his confusion sank in at the sight of his brunette friend embracing a girl.
“I....,” Merlin gazed down at you, “I found her.”
The look in his eyes as you met his again was overflowing with emotion. Ones that made your heartstrings pull and flex if only as a sign to tell you that he already cared so deeply about you.
Arthur’s eyes snapped wide and he pointed between you and Merlin.
Both you and Merlin looked back to the other young man.
You held in a giggle at the King’s lengthy reaction as Merlin nodded in glee with a new shine to his blue eyes.
“Oh.” Arthur peered around in thought before spying the floor. “Pick up your mess and the both of you can have the rest of today off. I’m sure someone else can take care of the laundry,” he looked straight at Merlin. “But I expect you to be on time tomorrow.”
“Really?” You gasped, fingers digging into the back of Merlin’s jacket. “Thank you, sire.”
“You’re welcome,” King Arthur let a smile slip. “If anything, you need luck having Merlin as your soul mate.”
“Ha. Ha,” Merlin looked as if he was suppressing the need to roll his eyes. “Thank you, Arthur.”
The King nodded at the both of you as he went to walk away, but turned to point at the scattered mess.
“Now, Merlin.”
“Right!” Your soul mate released you and spun out of your grasp.
A surprise giggle escaped your lips as you watched Merlin crouch down and rush to gather the almost forgotten mess. Before you knew it he had everything back in the basket and was standing with it ready to go.
“Shall we?”
It wasn’t difficult for Merlin to keep pace with you as the two of you completed your earlier journey to drop off the laundry. Leaving hand in hand after a hurried explanation to a rather confused woman who was already scrubbing away at some clothes.
You sprinted to keep up with Merlin, following his lead through the halls of the castle. Passing some knights as you went who called out to Merlin in a friendly manner to only have Merlin shout over his shoulder in passing.
“I found my soul mate!” Merlin was practically beaming with his wide grin that you equally matched with a short wave to the men.
Cheers and whistles echoed down the halls from the red-caped knights that added fuel to Merlin’s already quick pace.
Sooner than you thought in your adrenaline-rushed state, Merlin had finally stopped long enough to swing open a wooden door.
“Gaius,” Merlin called out, scanning the room as he lead you inside.
“Yes, Merlin. What is it?” An older man, much older in age than the knights, looked up from a much tattered book and adjusted his glasses. He eyed Merlin with suspicion, making you wonder what trouble the young man beside you had gotten into in the past.
“Gaius,” Merlin took a few breaths, “This is (Y/N). She’s my soul mate. (Y/N), this is Gaius the Court Physician.”
If only you would have noticed the physician’s jaw drop, but Merlin’s voice saying your name as if it was a proclamation of love was an easy distraction. Your hand that held his tightened all the more.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, (Y/N),” Gaius stood from his seat to shake your hand.
“A-and you as well, Gaius,” you briefly shook his aged hand.
“Ah....How did you both meet? Might I ask?” Gaius’ mind was clearly running through a long-winded list of questions and a mixture of emotions at the moment.
It wasn’t everyday that someone you know finds their soul mate.
You and Merlin on the other hand were clearly feeding off of one another’s energies, practically bouncing in place with excitement that only grew.
“When I was heading back to grab Arthur’s armor.....that I forgot, and once I went around the corner to go up the stairs my mark started to burn. But before I could do anything I saw (Y/N) about to fall down the stairs. I mean I didn’t know who she was at the time, but my feet were running after her before I realized what was happening.” Merlin’s fingers easily wound their way between yours. “Then we showed each other our marks just before Arthur showed up and figured out what happened.”
“Not to forget I dropped the laundry basket and made a mess out--.”
“That wasn’t a problem,” Merlin interrupted you and gave your hand a gentle squeeze.
“Let me be very honest with you both,” Gaius started and making you tense, “Soul mates, especially upon first meeting one another can hardly stay away from each other. They are drawn together.”
“Like Arthur and Gwen,” Merlin added in, unfazed by the in progress lecture.
“Yes and you remember how difficult it was for them once they found out. Being together makes soul mates complete and one. So I advise you both to spend your time wisely...and I hope Arthur understands your situation.”
“He gave us both the day off,” Merlin boasted as if he’d never had one, which quite frankly might be the case.
“Today or tomorrow?”
“Just today. You know Arthur can’t function without me,” Merlin glanced down at you with a smirk.
You bumped him lightly with your clasped hands.
“It’s nearly noon, Merlin.”
“I’m sure Arthur has told Gwen and he can survive a few hours without me. Well, hopefully,” Merlin mumbled the last bit, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.
Gaius only sighed, looking about his home, and grabbed an empty hand basket.
“I’m....going to the market....for....I’ll be back later,” Gaius excused himself and walked past the pair of you before leaving.
“Is he alright?” You asked, glancing at the now closed door.
“....He might be in shock,” Merlin suggested with a shrug. “He’ll be fine though. I promise.” He reassured you, leading past the table and towards a door on the other side of the room with a couple of small steps leading up to it.
“Alright, but....maybe we should have listened more about what he had to say,” you said, “Just in case.”
“We’ll be fine. I won’t let anything bad happen to you for as long as I live,” he opened the door and gestured you inside. “But we won’t have as much time as we would like to speak to one another. So we can talk in here.”
“Is this your room?” You asked, taking a seat on the edge of his bed.
“Yeah,” he glanced around the room a bit.
You could sense his overall giddiness, however there was an amount of anxiety now that the two of you were alone.
“To be honest....I was afraid something would have happened to you before we met,” Merlin shut the door behind him, “because of our mark.”
“Afraid? I was worried you’d be locked up for magic or something. It’s a dragon, Merlin!” You gestured to your own mark.
“Er....About that,” he started fidgeting his feet.
“What?” You furrowed your eyebrows at him.
“I have magic.”
Your eyes widened and you were sure your eyebrows met your hairline.
“And I’m the last Dragonlord,” he added, “Which would probably explain our mark.”
“....Dragonlord?.....B-but I....I don’t have magic....a-and you....you have magic,” you tried desperately to have your mind wrap around this information being that it wasn’t theoretical anymore. “But you’re....”
“Arthur’s manservant.” Merlin sat down beside you, his hand finding its way to yours and intertwining with your fingers.
“Yeah,” you breathed out. “How in the world have you not even been caught?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We some have time,” you scooted closer to him with a sweet smile and rested your joined hands on your lap, his hand nicely nestled between yours. “Mister I-can-hide-my-magic-powers.”
“We do,” Merlin leaned closer and lowered his voice, “And I’m pretty sure Arthur will come looking for me before dinner.”
A short snicker shook you before resting your head against his shoulder and peered up into his deep blue eyes.
“I really hope we have more time than that,” you said, watching as he shifted his attention to his free hand that was closed.
“Well as long as nothing decides to attack Camelot today, we should be as good as you make me feel.”
Your eyebrows rose shortly as you breathed out a soft laugh.
“Did you just use a line on me?”
“Yes.....It was bad wasn’t it?”
“No, it was cute,” you smiled, feeling your cheeks get a tad rosy.
“So are you,” Merlin answered back and placed a small rose in your hair.
“Where did--Oh.”
Merlin moved a few stray hairs away from your face before resting his forehead on top of yours. The pair of you closed your eyes, absorbed in the calm moment that resulted from such a fast-paced turn of events.
“Thank you,” you whispered, still keeping your eyes shut and not entirely wanting to break the silence.
“For the flower?” Merlin asked, his fingers playing with the ends of your hair.
“No, for catching me.”
A soft warmth pecked your nose causing you to open your eyes in time to see Merlin kiss the tip of your nose again.
“I’ll never let you fall.”
You couldn’t help biting your lip because the back of your head was hurting from smiling continuously. Something in you told you that he would be the most positive person in your entire life.
“Merlin?”
“Hmm?”
“Did your mark stop burning too?”
“Yeah. I forgot when though.”
“Good,” you snuggled into his side as he buried his face in the crook of your neck.
You looked forward to your future together even if you didn’t quit know it would involve more magic and adventure than you had ever experienced. Merlin would show you more of his magic and entrust you with knowledge of his destiny. No matter what was to come, you would be more than glad to help him in any way you could, even if that meant making sure he remembered to rest and eat.
~~~
Part Two 💖
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