#merlin and arthur haven't even realised what day it is

[leondegranced]

My piece for DarKymi for the Merthur Glompfest 2023!

#uther hates this day but it's tradition #gwen might never be queen in the merthur timeline so she gets one day as a treat #and it's the best day camelot's ever had #morgana never wins because she always spends her time trying to find a way to find the crown without actually scavenging #gwaine and lance have snuck in in the hopes of winning and getting their banishments revoked #percival's just here for a fun time #merlin and arthur haven't even realised what day it is #my art #bbc merlin #merlin bbc #merthur #merlin #arthur #i'm not tagging every character #merthur glompfest 2023

[adhd-merlin]

vignette vi: an outing

note: it's vignette 6 because it should go after vignette 5. vignette 5 currently only exists in my head, which is why I'm not posting this on ao3. consider this a preview or something.

summary: Camelot's two most specialest little guys go on a picnic. Arthur's not there. He's busy. | (Merlin/Gwen; implied Merlin/Gwen/Arthur. 2.9K words) | Part of my merwenthur series.

This one directly references an event that happened in fleete's fic but you can tell what happened even if you haven't read it, or if you don't remember it.

An Outing

“Gwen?” Merlin calls, pulling on the reins of his horse. Chestnut stops and then obediently starts to turn on himself, describing a semi-arch, until Merlin is facing Gwen.

They were riding abreast until a moment ago, when Gwen stopped to look at the craggy outcropping towering near the river, and then at the mossy rocks on the river bank.

Merlin trots back to her. 

“What is it?” he asks, and then he follows the direction of her gaze. “Oh,” he says. Realising.

They haven’t been back here since the incident.

“Not here,” Gwen says, and Merlin nods.

“A bit further ahead,” he says.

They ride on.

They find a nice spot under some trees bordering a clearing. White and yellow wildflowers are scattered all across the glade, and there is a lovely breeze, and the treacherous river burbles happily in the background, but at least the crag is not looming over them anymore, an odious reminder of that awful day.

Gwen spreads the blanket under the trees and starts unpacking the food while Merlin tethers their horses. Gwen’s mare headbutts him affectionately in the chest as he ties her reins to a branch, and he stops to pat her neck and give her a friendly scratch behind her ear.

Gwen smiles.

They chatter leisurely as they eat. The food is nothing elaborate, just something Merlin grabbed quickly from the kitchens, but still fit for a royal — cold meats, fine white bread, goat cheese, walnuts in honey, and a few strawberry tarts, slightly squashed during the ride but no less delicious for it.

“Do you think Arthur’s made it to Nemeth already?” Gwen asks, licking some honey off of her thumb.

Merlin tries to reply, having apparently forgotten he was biting into a tart. He stuffs the rest of it in his mouth and gulps it down, quickly —  probably painfully — half-chewed.

“Should have,” he says, sounding a bit choked, and spraying crumbs of pastry all over his neckerchief. He frowns down at it in annoyance and gives it a little shake.

“You’re ridiculous,” Gwen says, with immense fondness, and Merlin shoots back, nonsensically, “You’re ridiculous,” before reaching for a waterskin.

He tips it into his mouth. A lonely drop trembles on the rim and falls onto his tongue.

“Ugh,” Merlin says. He makes as if to get up to refill it, but Gwen takes the waterskin from his hand.

“I’ll go,” she says.

Merlin gives her a look that falls just short of an eye-roll. “I can refill a waterskin without drowning myself, you know,” he says, but he lets her go.

She can feel his eyes on her back as she crouches on the wet rocks of the bank, holding her skirts up to her waist.

When she sits back on the blanket she hands Merlin the waterskin, and she watches him gulp down the fresh water greedily, with his eyes closed and his head thrown back. Her eyes linger on the bump in his throat, bobbing up and down. A drop of water escapes the corner of his lips and slides sideways towards his jaw, then down the pale column of his neck, before disappearing into his neckerchief.

When Merlin opens his eyes, he catches her staring.

“What?” he asks, corking the waterskin. Lips wet. He wipes his mouth and chin with the back of his hand.

“Nothing,” Gwen says, and she scoots closer, and takes his face in her hands and thrusts her tongue into his mouth.

Judging by Merlin’s reaction, it’s unexpected but not unwelcome. He makes a little noise of surprise high in his nose and he pulls her closer by her waist, kissing her back just as hungrily.

“I’ve missed you,” Gwen whispers between kisses, against his lips.

“You see me every day,” Merlin says, dumbfounded — which is a bit stupid, but he’s understandably distracted by Gwen nipping at his neck and clenching her hands in his hair.

“No, I meant— this,” Gwen says, going in for another, more demonstrative kiss, and sneaking a hand under Merlin’s shirt to stroke the bare skin over his stomach.

“Oh,” Merlin breathes. He pulls back. “You want to…? Now?”

Gwen nods.

“Here?”

“There’s no one around,” Gwen says.

Merlin glances around, looking like he’s internally debating the wisdom of Gwen’s proposition. The spot they are sitting in is secluded by the trees, and they haven’t met any other rider on the way here, but they are still on the castle grounds, and there’s a small chance that some knights might ride near them on patrol.

If Merlin denies her, Gwen thinks she might expire on the spot. It’s been ages since she’s been touched and taken passionately, as she is burning to be touched and taken now. It’s been even longer since she and Merlin lay together — and the number of times they’ve done it without Arthur present can probably be counted on the fingers of two hands.

“We can be quick,” Gwen says, and that’s apparently what it takes to tip the scales.

“Yes, all right,” Merlin says, and Gwen kisses him as she climbs on top of him, straddling his legs, and then she pushes him flat on his back.

It is, indeed, a very quick affair.

She undoes Merlin’s front laces and tugs his trousers and braies out of the way, then she hikes up her skirts, and after a quick, “Is this all right?”, and Merlin’s frantic, “Yes, yes— gods” — she sinks down on him.

It burns, a little, and she tries not to wince.

What follows is more grinding and rubbing than actual thrusting, really, but it feels good, and then it starts feeling better, so much so that she forgets her initial discomfort. When Merlin tries to grab her waist, presumably to take the situation in hand, Gwen grasps his hands and pins them to the ground on either side of his head, and Merlin gives a little laugh, but he lets her keep them there. She bends down to kiss him and to pour her moans into his open mouth as she reaches her climax and shakes helplessly with pleasure, tasting strawberries on her tongue.

“Gwen,” Merlin says, his voice tight, his body tense, as she nips at the corner of his mouth — a warning. She straightens and pulls herself to her knees, just enough to let him slip out of her.

She leans back on one hand and she reaches back with the other, blindly, stroking him clumsily due to the odd angle, but Merlin is so close to coming that it doesn’t seem to matter much. He caresses her thighs and squeezes his eyes shut, arching his neck with a moan, thrusting up into her hand — and the sight of his face, and the feeling of him in her hand, hot and hard and wet from being inside her, are almost enough to push Gwen over the brink again.

Merlin comes with a little grunt, spilling his warm seed over Gwen’s fingers and the back of her thigh.

“Gods,” he breathes out again, once he’s finished pulsing in Gwen’s hand. His body goes limp, and his arms fall from Gwen’s legs.

Gwen gives the softening flesh in her fingers a gentle squeeze, chuckling at Merlin’s sharp intake of breath. She pecks him on the mouth and slides off of him, lying down next to him, and wipes her hand on the grass. Merlin pulls up his trousers.

They stay like this for a long moment, waiting for their breath to slow down.

“Well,” Merlin drawls, after he’s sufficiently recovered. “That was…”

“Yeah,” Gwen confirms.

“I’ll have to be careful,” Merlin says. “Drinking water around you.”

“Oh, shush.”

“Now that I know it might set you off,” he continues, undaunted. The cheek of him. “Wouldn’t want you to get the urge to climb on me in polite company.”

“Well, excuse me for having needs,” Gwen says, peeved, but also slightly embarrassed. 

“I wasn’t complaining.”

“No, you were making fun of me.”

Merlin turns to look at her, looking a bit chastised. “I wasn’t.”

“You were! Just because I’m a woman, it doesn’t mean I—”

“That’s not… I was only teasing you a little. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about it. Sorry.” He rolls onto his side and places his hand on her belly. “It was unexpected, that’s all. But I enjoyed it. Very much.”

He kisses her cheek, sweetly, and Gwen feels like she could cry.

“Me too,” she says. “It’s just… It’s been a while.”

Merlin hums in agreement.

She could leave it at that. Perhaps she should leave it at that. But she feels like confiding in someone, and it can’t be Arthur.

“I don’t mean between us,” she clarifies. “I mean… in general.”

“Oh,” Merlin says. And then: “How long?”

“This was the first time since Ygraine’s birth,” Gwen admits. “And another few months before that.”

“Oh,” Merlin repeats. He sounds surprised.

“I take it Arthur hadn’t mentioned it to you.”

“No,” Merlin says. He taps his fingers nervously on her stomach. “He’s not going to be… upset about this, is he?”

They don’t have rules, exactly. They have discussed, in the past, what is acceptable to do when one of them isn’t present, and concluded that anything they would do if they were all three together is acceptable to do as a couple. 

She is fairly certain, however, that when Arthur left for his diplomatic visit and insisted that Merlin stay behind to “look after her”, he didn’t have this in mind — them coupling in the woods, not even taking the time to remove their clothes, like a pair of youngsters who had just discovered sex. But still.

“No,” she replies. “Well, he shouldn’t. It’s not like I’ve been denying him. He could have, if he wanted.”

It must come out more bitter than she intended because Merlin shifts to better look at her face, and his expression goes wary.

“Is everything all right between you?”

“Yes!” Gwen hastens to reassure him. She feels suddenly guilty for making it sound as if it were all Arthur’s fault. “I mean, we couldn’t right after, of course. The midwives said to wait at least a month to give everything enough time to… to heal properly. And then we tried, and it was a bit of a disaster, and we thought we’d wait a little longer. And then…” she laughs, humourlessly. “I don’t know. We were always too tired, or Ygraine was crying, or we were not in the mood.”

If Gwen were being entirely honest and fair, and not merely indulging in self-pity, she would mention the couple of times she rejected Arthur’s tentative advances. She remembers tearing his hand away from her chest in annoyance, one night in bed, because her breasts felt heavy and tender, and the last thing she wanted after having her nipples gnawed on by a baby for what felt like an eternity was to have a grown man play with them. She knows she’s not entirely blameless. But it’s been a while since the last time Arthur even tried.

“I’m sure that’s normal,” Merlin says, reasonably, “after having a baby.”

“I suppose,” Gwen says. But she can’t help herself. “What if he’s not attracted to me anymore?”

Merlin laughs.

“I’m being serious!”

“No, you’re being ridiculous,” Merlin says, but he says it gently. “Truly, this time.”

“I don’t look the same,” Gwen insists. “You haven’t seen my body lately. It’s not the same.”

Tears prick her eyes. Of all the things to get upset about.

Ygraine has been the most wonderful thing to ever happen to her, and the most nerve-wracking. She loves her, more than anything and anyone in the world, with a frightening ferocity. She’d give up her own life in a heartbeat to save Ygraine’s, even if it meant giving her only one more day on Earth. She can’t bear the thought of a world without her daughter in it — and yet she thinks about it, constantly. Endless hours spent worrying about Ygraine’s breath stopping in the middle of the night, about her not surviving a fever come winter, about her wasting away when she refuses to latch on her nipple.

And, on top of it, all the worrying about not being a good mother. About doing things wrong. About not being enough. Now more than ever, she finds herself desperately missing her own mother at the oddest times. And sometimes — rarely, fleetingly, with a deep sense of shame — missing her old self; the Gwen she used to be before she became an anxious, imperfect mother.

Perhaps it’s simpler to fixate on the fact that her breasts are not as perky as they were, and her stomach not as taut, and her body not as slim. Easier to think about than all the rest.

“Gwen,” Merlin says, and he cups her face with his hand. “Arthur loves you. As do I. We’d still be attracted to you if you grew a horn in the middle of your forehead.” And, having said that, he kisses that very spot.

Gwen holds his wrist and closes her eyes. The ugly memory she’s been trying to suppress since they rode past the stretch of the river where Merlin almost drowned resurfaces. “I can’t believe we almost lost you.”

“No point in dwelling on it now,” Merlin says. In a lighter tone, he adds: “Besides, I’d say it was more than worth it. Such a passionate kiss, from such a beautiful queen? There are knights who would risk death a hundred times for the mere chance.”

“Oh, don’t joke about it,” Gwen says, thumping him weakly in the chest. She doesn’t feel like laughing at all. “It was horrible. We thought you were dead.”

Merlin sobers up. She buries her face in his chest, seeking comfort in the warmth of it, and in its gentle rise and fall.

Merlin holds her.

“I think I was,” he murmurs.

Gwen sniffs. “What?”

Merlin doesn’t reply. He remains silent for such a long time that Gwen starts to think she just imagined him speaking.

Then he takes a deep breath.

“I think I did die,” he says — not much louder than before but more assuredly.

Gwen pulls back to look at his face. He looks serious and… concerned.

“You think you died,” she repeats, slowly. Trying to keep her tone as neutral as possible, because Merlin looks like he regrets saying anything about it, and like he might deny it all if she sounds too sceptical.

He hesitates, then nods. “Possibly.”

Gwen nods back. “And… came back to life?” she offers, tentatively. Just to make sure.

Merlin rolls on his back with a frustrated sigh. “I know it sounds mad,” he says, but he doesn’t deny it.

“How?”

“I don’t know.” He rubs his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “Perhaps I’m wrong.”

But Gwen thinks back on that day. The image of Merlin lying on the grass, wet and pale and entirely unresponsive, is imprinted on her mind. She remembers his ice-cold lips. His unmoving chest.

“You weren’t breathing,” she says. To herself, more than to Merlin. “Arthur tried to get you to breathe again for… it felt like ages.”

She remembers Arthur violently thumping Merlin’s back, for the most interminable moment of her life. She couldn’t tell how much time passed before Merlin started coughing out water and sucking in air again. Enough for both Arthur and her to think him dead.

Merlin’s expression doesn’t change. 

“There have been… other incidents,” he says. “Times when, by all rights, I should have died. I just thought I was extremely lucky.”

He smiles, but it’s almost mocking. As if in disbelief at his own stupidity.

“Are you saying you can’t…?”

“I don’t know!” Merlin repeats, sounding exasperated — but not at her. He sits up and buries his hands in his hair. “I’ve never told anyone. Not even Gaius.”

He’s not just concerned. He’s frightened. She can hear the hint of distress in his voice. She wonders if this is something he’s been secretly thinking about, mulling over the possible implications, or if he shoved it at the back of his mind, refusing to even acknowledge it, much like Gwen has done with her own memory of that dreadful day.

She sits up, too.

“It’s not really something I can test out, is it?” Merlin says. “And I’m not too keen to try, to be honest.”

“Please don’t,” Gwen says. She pries Merlin’s hands away from his face and she pulls him to her chest. Merlin offers no resistance. He folds on himself to wrap his arms around her and rest his head on her bosom like a child. She kisses the top of his head and pets his hair, and doesn’t say anything as silly as I’m so glad you’re alive.

She doesn’t ask him any more questions about the matter, either.

“This was lovely,” Gwen says later, as they ride back home.

She can’t even remember when she last spent time away from the castle without Ygraine. She feels invigorated. She wonders if she should feel a bit guilty about it, but Ygraine adores Iona, and it’s only been a few hours after all.

“I’d love to do this again when Arthur’s back,” she says. “While the nice weather lasts.”

“You should,” Merlin says. “I’ll look after Ygraine, if you’d like.”

Gwen shoots him an incredulous look. “I meant the three of us, of course.”

“Oh,” Merlin says. “Of course.”

He looks as if he’s trying not to smile too widely, and he mostly manages, but he starts humming an aimless tune, and he keeps it up all the way to the castle.

#i shouldn't even post it probably. but I wasted like 2 days on this (i'm very slow ok) #and i just want it out of my head #i'm busy for the next few weeks so i'm not sure when i'll have time to write more #so there you go. entirely self-indulgent merwen #contains: vaguely described sex; comma abuse #vignette 5 would be like. the merthur counterpart of this #if i ever get to write it (it's the hunting trip) #it only goes before this one for chronological reasons #if you care #have a good day #* #merwen

[gracelesslady23]

20 Questions for Fic Writers!

Thanks so much for the tag @strugglequill!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

18 :)

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

336K (wow thats so much more than I thought it would be) - but this does count the 3 unrevealed and anon-ed fics so...

3. What fandoms do you write for?

I've written bits and pieces for a whole bunch of different fandoms, but mainly write for Harry Potter and I've only ever posted HP fics online.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos?

the ghost of you, it keeps me awake (currently unrevealed for rewrites); and a love that I dreamt of came to me at my worst; In Plain Sight; The Wedding Date; Just Mates

All prongsfoot :)

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes!! I adore receiving comments on my fics and try to respond to as many of them as I can (even if it sometimes takes me a while to get to it).

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I'm very much a happy ending writer (these characters already go through so much angst in canon, I can't help it) although I certainly enjoy building up some angst in the lead up to the happy ending... but if I had to pick probably my jilypad-if-you-squint entry into this year's Kill Your Darlings MCD fest flickering light in an endless night although I tried to give it somewhat of a hopefully ending, even if its not necessarily a happy one.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

All the others lol. Haha but maybe you'll see me in hindsight I certainly spent more time with S/J after they are officially together in that fic than I usually do and there's like two chapters of smut/fluff to make up for the earlier angst.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Luckily, only few times (thank god for the small insular fandom that is prongsfoot <3), but it always hurts and turns me off writing for a period. I feel so sorry for any writer who has experienced it.

9. Do you write smut?

Sure do. Although, I do struggle a bit with writing it. I've also realised preferences sway towards the vanilla (with maybe a bit of voyeurism, exhibitionism thrown in), so that's usually what I feel comfortable writing :)

10. Do you write crossovers?

Nope. I wrote some dreadful Queer as Folk/HP crossovers as a teenager (which will NEVER see the light of day) but haven't for years and years.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! I was so thrilled that someone liked my work enough to do so.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No I haven't. I am quite insecure in my unfinished drafts so I think I might struggle to share that with someone in order to co-write, but maybe one day!

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

Can't go past Sirius/James. I've loved them for over a decade (which is insane) but Merlin/Arthur have been a close contender at certain times of my life <3

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will?

I want you to ruin my life I just lost steam on the project and it went in a direction that I wasn't completely happy with. I do feel guilty though, which is why its now on permanent hiatus and anon-ed lol.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Ummm... I think I can come up with a cool concept / AU idea once in a while.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Writing Endings is probably the thing I'm most annoyed with myself about at the moment!! Finishing projects without being distracted by new ones. Purple prose (probably), sometimes even I get tired when editing my ridiculously convoluted introspection scenes (although I think, or at least hope, i'm getting better at editing them down). Writing characters and POVs outside of the ones I'm most familiar with. Writing oneshots and actually keeping them at a reasonable length (see issues with endings lol). Self confidences... the list goes on.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language?

I'd love to be fluent enough in another language to do so one day.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Harry Potter, probably Harry/Hermione (but I didn't finish or post anything until fairly recently).

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

Probably and a love that I dreamt of came to me at my worst, its probably the fic I've re-read the most and has so many of my favourite tropes in it. And idk I'm just really proud that I actually wrote something that long and managed to see it through and finish it.

Tagging (No Pressure): @lovelymasks @groundzero-v @mycupofrum @roalinda @bronzeagepizzeria

or whoever else would like to share :)

#tag game #long post

[lil-llewellyn]

Merlin grows a beard, and Mordred is the bad guy... except no he isn't and all the knights are really confused

Merlin goes missing. that said, no one actually knows when, because at first they assumed he went "to the tavern" for a couple of days, then that he got lost in the tavern, but eventually Arthur began to worry.

At some point on a patrol-cough-merlin-search-mission the knights get attacked by the bandits. Of course. However, these bandits have their faces completely covered by masks, and they fight better than average bandits.

The knights really struggle, but eventually succeed, while Arthur picks a fight with the most skilled bandit.

At last, he thinks he dealt him a mortal blow to the face, but the bandit manages to avert, escaping with a mere sliced mask but otherwise unharmed.

And the mask reveals Merlin.

Arthur, stunned, breathlessly asks: "Merlin?"

and the bandit responds, darkly, in a low voice "Who the hell is Merlin?" (aka bucky mode)

He escapes while Arthur stands there, stunned.

The king keeps it from the knights who haven't heard him but insists on sending more patrols this way, most of them led by him.

MEANWHILE

Merlin drinks another flask of what is labelled mind control medicine.

And returns to...

Mordred.

Who is not vengeful or evil at all but is the leader of a bandit organisation.

This is obviously pre-s5 Mordred, but Merlin and him have been in contact over the years so they're on good terms with one another.

Actually, Mordred isn't evil, he was just asked by Merlin to make his identity hidden, even from himself.

Read: because of yet another evil sorcerer, and because Kilgharrah stressed the fact that right now is an extremely bad time to be magically revealed.

This particular sorcerer could combine his mind with Merlin's abilities and if Merlin wasn't strong enough to resist him, (and nobody can without a very particular and very hard-to-come-by potion), the results would be catastrophic.

Mordred is really sympathetic and understanding and caring.

The whole thing has gone too far for too long but they agreed to keep it this way for a few months until all components of the potion are found.

MEANWHILE Arthur intends to get through to Merlin who, as he realised with Gaius's help, was under mind control (Gaius, who naturally knew of this part of Merlin's plan, tried his best to avert Arthur's suspicions but didn't succeed).

Arthur intended to ask Dolma for help but Gaius managed to advise against it (cue extremely stupid lying and extremely gullible Arthur).

So the next time Arthur meets Merlin, he recognises him by the clothes (which are not Merlin's of course but which have an image of a merlin-bird) and by the sliced and stitched mask.

Arthur manages to knock Merlin out and tie him up and tells the knights everything. The gang stays in the forest for some time, trying to get through to Merlin who can't remember himself.

MEANWHILE Mordred goes looking for Merlin, desperate to help, notices him held by the knights and spies on them.

He learns how deeply everyone is attached to Merlin and that they won't harm him.

Without the mind control flasks Merlin gets fuzzy, so Mordred lifts the spell, but can't get close enough to talk to Merlin, so he stays in the shadows and waits.

This happens at night, so Merlin gets up earlier than everyone else, frees himself from the ropes with his hands and pretends to be his normal self as if nothing had happened.

Which doesn't require any pretending because he doesn't remember anything from the time of being mind-controlled (you try being mind-controlled for months. It has some after-effects). Logically, he thinks they were on a patrol as usual.

So when he wakes Arthur up with the usual rise-and-shine, the latter freaks out.

Everyone points a sword at Merlin while he goes "What the hell guys?".

Merlin also asks them about his unusual clothes and assumes they had rehearsed a bandit attack, which he laughs at because they get attacked far too often to rehearse it.

Then Merlin freaks out when he notices a scar he hadn't had before. He points at it and madly asks what the hell did they do to him.

The other blink and if they notice other, older scars, they ignore it for the time being (yay, an incomplete scar reveal).

MEANWHILE

Mordred tries to reach out to Merlin via a mental link.

Except that due to the fuzziness, Merlin's memories got jumbled à bit and Merlin freaks out, not understanding and almost going mad from hearing voices that no one else can hear.

Mordred feels the evil sorcerer approach and decides it's time to act. He administers the mind control spell again.

All the knights were pointing swords at Merlin and looked mildly confused as Merlin went "What the hell?", started wriggling and touching his forehead as if it caused much pain and distress. Suddenly he went silent, slowly lifted his head, made eye contact with Arthur and quickly and effortlessly disarmed everyone.

They addressed him as Merlin, but he didn't know who they were talking about. They all felt mildly disturbed.

Mordred, watching, was freaking out of course

merlin tied everyone up, comfortably yet firmly, leaving nothing to chance, and told them about the scar that good!merlin didn't remember when they asked him and described something dark, with his deep dark voice

oh, and he has a beard-ie and roughness and maturity and everything

he tells them about the rough-tough world outside of their party-coloured drapes and pointy castls

mordred communicates with him through the mental link persuading him to go easy on them throughout the way and also being his boss

Merlin also tells them that due to the fact he can't remember himself past few months or years if that were thought up, he can believe that he was a camelot servant once

he shows them a few scars from that supposed period (yay prolonged but still incomplete scar reveal)

"Why did I leave?"

"We assumed you were kidnapped from the tavern, you went there almost all the time"

cue Gwaine telling everyone that actually merlin was never seen at the tavern

Arthur remembers that Merlin had never actually said that, he had always pretended to have been picking herbs for gaius the whole time and feels a bit more uncertain and guilty

with a cracking voice Arthur says that Merlin and him were best friends and he was the most trusted and valued person

and that possibly he betrayed that trust which he couldn't believe and therefore searched for Merlin like he did for morgana

at this information merlin tears up a bit and says Arthur in like a quiet and soft voice

and calls him a dollophead or sth, starts freeing everyone, frees Arthur

but then he loses it again while Arthur cuts the ropes of elyan and sends him away

merlin ties up Arthur again and takes all the knights to their secret organisation

there they experience first hand what it means to be a commoner as they get common clothes and work somewhere as commoners (as in The Arthur's Bane except everyone thinks of them not as slaves but as ordinary people, which freaks them all out)

this takes a few days

during which Mordred finds everything that is needed to defeat the sorcerer, lifts Merlin's mind control and attempts to help him deal with the sorcerer

Merlin, on the other hand, is still fuzzy from mind control and still keeps Mordred away from danger and is all protective

in the process of saving everyone Mordred finds out that the sorcerer was actually a well-intentioned one (aren't they all... no! this one got possessed so didn't have any free will so actually was well-intentioned)

thanks to Mordred, Merlin doesn't obliterate the good sorcerer and frees and heals him instead

Merlin returns to the knights, who are wary of him, of course, but they see their friend risking his life for them as usual and with a couple of blood stains and untreated cuts which he is aware of

Silence settles in.

He tells them to go, they've been gone from Camelot for too long, so they go

Silently.

Merlin tells them that he doesn't remember his actions while he was mind controlled. He adds that his judgement wasn't his own, but everything else like skills or habits can't be wished into existence so for the most part it was still him

and they mention Merlin being good at fighting while mind controlled and go "Do you mean you can fight??"

Merlin tries to joke it off by saying "oh yeah, did I throw a light punch and Arthur whined about it?"

So they tell him how he single-handedly disarmed the best knights of the round table in less than two minutes

Gwaine, being proud for Merlin, describes the event in details

So Merlin becomes painfully aware of what had happened and how scared they looked when he told them about the scar and living in the wild with bandits

So he says in his amused-offended voice "Yeah, you also didn't believe I could juggle" and they go "You can???"

Turns out that the thought of Merlin being able to juggle is much more off-putting than him being the best at sword-fighting

Well... Merlin can't actually juggle. And is magically-exhausted from the previous days. He sheepishly asks Mordred for help but Mordred is too busy being offended by Merlin's protective behaviour, so...

Yeah. Merlin can't actually juggle.

#merlin #merlin bbc #arthur #rolling eyes #merthur #merlin nation #arthur bbc #gwaine #knights of the round table #arthur pendragon #mordred #sir mordred #reread

[legends-of-time]

Amelia’s Story (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 13: The Beginning of the End

Masterlist

Amelia's POV

Amelia is in her Chambers with Morgana, Gwen and Anne when Merlin suddenly bursts in.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?!" Morgana exclaims in surprise. They all turn to look at him.

"The Guards are after him. I didn't know what to do." It is then that Amelia spots the young boy that Merlin had dragged with him into her Chambers. He looks pale and dazed but also somewhat scared. She feels drawn to him. Like he is familiar. As if she knows him. She does not know if it is because of her memories of the show trying to push through or another reason but that was how she feels all the same. She notices that Morgana has a similar look on her face.

Suddenly knocking on the door and a "My Lady? My Lady?" snaps her and Morgana out of it and she points over to the corner of her Chambers where an alcove is covered by a curtain. "In there." She waits until Merlin and the boy are behind the curtain to open the door.

She sees a Guard she knows called Patrick standing in front of her with others loitering behind him. "I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady. We're searching for a young Druid boy. We believe he came this way."

"I haven't seen anyone. It's just me, the Lady Morgana and our maids." She says, trying to seem as calm as possible.

"Best keep the door locked till we find him."

"Of course. Thank you." She closes the door and runs to check on the boy along with Morgana, Gwen and Anne. Merlin is crouching on the floor with the unconscious boy in his arms. He lifts his hand to reveal that it is covered in blood and a wound on the boy's arm. They all look at each other in worry.

——

It was not long before Uther announces the execution of the Druid man who had come with the boy.

Amelia sits next to the boy, who lies awake, in the alcove that they had placed him in though he has now been given some blankets. She has been feeling very protective of him and feels the need to be near him. Morgana and Merlin watch from the window to the Square below as the Druid man is waiting to be executed.

She hears Uther begin his speech. "People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people."

"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you." The Druid man says boldly.

"I can't watch this," Morgana says to Merlin and leaves the window and sits down on the floor, cradling Mordred. Amelia hears the swing of the axe and suddenly she hears the boy yell, "No!", in her mind before her mirror breaks. She sees Merlin flinch so she knows he had heard it and possibly Morgana, who looks at the mirror shaken. She can feel the Druid boy breathing heavily next to her.

——

It is later in the day that Amelia hears a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Anne says to her and Morgana.

Merlin enters holding a bundle. "How is he?"

"He's sleeping. He's very pale. We worry he may have lost a lot of blood." Anne says, walking back over with Merlin to where Amelia crouches over the boy and Morgana stands behind her.

By this point, Amelia has checked her notes and realised that this boy is actually Mordred. The boy who will grow up to kill Arthur. Her notes said she should still save Mordred as this did not mean for definite that the future where he kills Arthur will happen. Even if it does not, she still feels the need to protect him. She cannot explain it.

"Has he said anything at all?" Merlin asks.

"Nothing. He won't even tell us his name." Morgana says remorsefully.

"You know, er," Merlin says awkwardly, scratching his head and leaning against the wall, "for a moment there earlier, I-I thought you were going to hand us over to the Guards."

"I'm glad you have so much faith in us, Merlin," Amelia says shortly. Does he not know her at all? She can see how she feels on Morgana and Anne's faces.

"No, no, sorry." Merlin hurriedly says. "Erm, I meant, you and Morgana are both the King's wards. You're taking a huge risk helping the boy. And he would show no possible mercy to Anne." This causes them all to soften.

"I wouldn't see an innocent child executed," Morgana says.

Anne nods along with her. "What harm has he ever done anyone?"

"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlin says.

"Uther's wrong," Morgana says strongly causing Merlin to lift his head in surprise though Amelia does not as she has always known that Morgana has felt this way.

"You believe that?" Merlin asks.

"She's right. What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?" Amelia then says, standing up. Morgana nods. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Amelia asks Merlin, who is staring at her and Morgana.

"Nothing," Merlin says, ducking his head.

"Why are you helping him?" Morgana asks, looking accusingly at him.

"It was a spur of the moment decision." Amelia knows he is lying. "What do you think we should do with him? He can't stay here."

"We have to find a way to get him back to his people," Anne says resolutely.

——

That night she and Morgana eat with Uther. It is odd sitting opposite the man knowing what she is hiding in her Chambers. She had not wanted to do this but Morgana told her that they need to keep suspicion away from them as much as possible.

"You seem troubled, Morgana, Amelia. Is something wrong?" Uther asks. Amelia squirms uncomfortably with how he can perceive this.

"No, My Lord." Morgan quickly says with fake enthusiasm. "We are sorry we are not better company."

"I'm merely concerned for your welfare, that's all."

"Thank you, My Lord. All is well." Amelia says. Then Arthur enters.

"What news of the hunt for the Druid boy?" Uther asks him as Arthur walks up the table past her and Morgana to lean on a chair near Uther.

"We have conducted an extensive search. The boy is nowhere to be found." Arthur informs him.

"You mean you failed to find him?"

"Perhaps he's already left the City," Arthur suggests. Amelia watches the exchange intensely for any news.

"You're telling me that a wounded boy is able to evade the Guards and escape the City?" Uther asks in disbelief. "Nonsense, someone's hiding him. I want him found."

"He's just a boy. What harm can he do?" Amelia cannot help but slightly smile at that.

"He is a Druid, and that makes him dangerous." This causes Amelia to frown again.

"The Druids would see your father's Kingdom destroyed," Morgana says, wisely diverting attention from the possibility they would hide the boy.

"I had no idea you were such an authority on Druids," Arthur says accusingly to her.

"Morgana is right. Double your efforts."

"Yes, father." Arthur resigns to his father's wishes.

"Keep searching until you find him."

——

It is the next day that Mordred turns for the worse. By the time Merlin arrives, he is feverish.

Merlin checks on Mordred while Morgana and Amelia crouch next to him. "He's burning up. How long has he been like this?"

"Since early this morning. I think his wound may be infected. We need Gaius before it gets any worse." Morgana says worriedly.

"No. We can't involve Gaius. It's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself." Merlin says.

"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he's sick. We need a Physician." Amelia tells him.

"I'll treat him." Merlin decides.

"Merlin, do you know how to treat an infected wound?" Morgana asks doubtfully.

"Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner." As soon as he finishes, Amelia hears footsteps and knocking at the door. She quickly stands up with Morgana, who closes the curtain, and she goes to open the door while Morgana sits at a table in the centre of the room.

"Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?" She says sarcastically as he walks past her into the room. She can see Guards standing in the hall. Well, at least this time they do not barge in and begin searching immediately.

"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call. I'm looking for the Druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your Chambers." Arthur responds with equal sarcasm.

"You're not searching my Chambers." She says to him.

"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire Castle. Only take a few minutes." She glances over to where Merlin and Mordred are and catches Merlin's eye and gives him a panicked look before quickly turning back to Arthur.

"I'm not having you mess up my things."

"I'm not interested in your things, I'm just looking for any evidence that the Druid boy's in the Castle," Arthur says, walking through the room, picking up odd objects.

"Perhaps the Druid boy's hiding in your Chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know." Morgana pipes up. Amelia sniggers at that causing Arthur to look at her annoyed.

"It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant." Arthur seems irritated, which is good as this makes him less focused.

"If you can't even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?" Morgana asks, walking over to her as they follow Arthur's movements.

"Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities. And, as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."

"Well, I'll save you the trouble," Amelia says.

"Trust me, if I could find him, I would." Arthur continues to potter around the room.

"The Druid boy's hiding behind the screen." She says. Arthur glances over at the curtains. She hopes Merlin has hidden. She can see Morgana look at her in alarm in the corner of her eye but she continues. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on." She gestures her head towards the curtains. She's teasing him at this point; it is the best way to deal with Arthur.

"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?" Arthur demands.

"In our experience, you don't need any help looking like a fool," Morgana says, seemingly catching on to what Amelia is doing and moving to stand next to her.

"What are you waiting for?" Amelia says, smirking. "Take a look."

"Why don't you go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is that you do all day?" He says pettily before walking around them and out of the room.

"Bye, Arthur. Good luck with the search!" Morgana calls after him while Amelia gives him a little wave.

Once the door closes Amelia looks at Morgana and both sigh with relief. Before Morgana suddenly hits her on the arm.

"Ow!" Amelia exclaims. "What was that for?!"

"Oh, you know," Morgana says accusingly.

Amelia pouts and rubs her arm.

——

Merlin leaves to get supplies to work on Mordred's wound but ends up taking quite a while.

Amelia opens the door for Merlin to enter when he finally comes back. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry. Once Gaius gets talking about anatomy, there's no stopping him." He says before crouching next to Morgana over Mordred and begins treating Mordred by slathering some sort of gunk over the wound.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Morgana asks doubtfully.

"I'm doing my best," Merlin tells her.

"I'll get you some more water," Morgana says, standing up. Amelia takes her spot. She notices Merlin stop in his treatment and stare at Mordred, who is staring back. They must be talking to one another in their minds.

"Speak to me." Merlin suddenly says out loud.

"I don't know if he can't speak, or... he's just too scared to," Morgana says, having walked back over to them, carrying a jug of water. She puts it down next to Merlin.

——

It is not long before Amelia sees that Merlin's treatment has not worked. Mordred turns feverish again.

Amelia crouches next to Mordred tending to him with Morgana on her other side watching her intently. She knows that Gwen and Anne stand behind them watching them worriedly.

"Let us care for him for a while. You both need to sleep. You'll make yourselves sick if you go on like this." Gwen says. Now that she says it, Amelia realises that she has hardly been sleeping these past nights, neither has Morgana.

"His fever's getting worse," Morgana says turning to her, wordlessly refusing to move.

"Morgana. Amelia." Amelia then hears in her head. She snaps her head towards Mordred. Morgana does the same.

"Did you hear that?" Amelia asks the others.

"What?" Anne asks. Did Anne not hear?

"He said our names," Morgana says.

"Did he? I didn't hear anything." Gwen says.

They startle slightly when there is a knock on the door then relax when hearing, "It's Merlin." Gwen stands up and opens the door before walking back with Merlin in tow.

"How is he?" Merlin asks.

"He's getting weaker. Whatever you did yesterday, hasn't worked. We have to ask Gaius for his help." Amelia tells him. Merlin scratches his head looking like he is about to disagree.

"After all you've done, you can't give up now! Please! If he doesn't receive treatment, he'll die!" Morgana begs.

"Ok."

Merlin comes back with Gaius, who immediately begins to examine Mordred. Amelia and Morgana crouch next to him watching worriedly while the others stand behind them.

"I will treat the boy, but as soon as he's well, you must get him out of Camelot. And woe betide anyone caught helping him." Gaius peels back Mordred's bandage. "Well, one thing we know for certain."

"What's that?" Merlin asks.

"You're no Physician," Gaius says looking at him. Merlin looks down embarrassed. This causes Amelia to smile for the first time in hours.

——

After Gaius had treated Mordred, Amelia, Anne, Gwen, Morgana and Merlin congregate in the Market in the Lower Town. Amelia observes the Guards stopping a man pulling a cart out through the gate.

"The guards are searching everyone leaving the town," Gwen tells them what they can already see.

"There is another way out. There's a secret door in the Armoury. It leads to the Lower Town. I'll take the boy out that way." Merlin then says.

"No. It's too dangerous. I'll do it." Morgana says.

"But I-I'm good with secret doors and things," Merlin argues.

"If you are caught, Uther will execute you. The boy's my responsibility. I'll smuggle him out of the Castle." Amelia opens her mouth to protest that he actually isn't her's as Mordred is in her Chambers not Morgana's but then Morgana says, "I'm not letting you do this either Amelia." She pouts.

"Well, you'll need a key for the door," Merlin says.

"Who has it?" Anne asks.

"Arthur," Merlin says in almost defeat.

——

Amelia stands in her own Chambers while Morgana dresses in Gwen's clothes. She herself helps Mordred get dressed for the journey. She is nervous about tonight as annoyingly enough her notes say nothing about whether tonight will be a success but the impression she got was that if tonight is not a success, they will still eventually get him out.

"It'll have to do." Morgana sighs. "I feel I've put you in danger without ever stopping to ask how you feel about it. I'm sorry." She says to Anne and Gwen who stand in front of her.

"Me too," Amelia says, walking over to them.

Anne shakes her head while Gwen says, "I know how it feels to face the threat of execution. And I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"And I would have done something if you had not anyway," Anne says.

There is knocking and a "It's Merlin." Gwen goes to open the door. Amelia goes back over to Mordred.

"We're going to get you out of Camelot. We won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise." She says, crouching down. He gives her a nod.

"Are you ready?" Merlin asks, now in the room.

Morgana nods. "Did you get the keys?"

Amelia can see Merlin starring at Mordred. Does he know Mordred's future?

"Yeah." He says, snapping out of it and showing Morgana the key. "Er, the door is behind the shield at the far end of the Armoury." Morgana nods in understanding taking the key.

"I'll pack you some food and water for the journey. Be careful." Gwen tells her.

Gwen and Merlin leave for Gwen's house to get the food and ready horses and wait for Morgana and Mordred to meet them. It was decided that Amelia going with them would raise too many suspicions and Anne does not need to go as they already have enough people on their specific jobs. So all Amelia can do is wait with Anne and hope for the best.

——

Gwen's POV

Gwen prepares some travel supplies. "I hope they're OK. Morgana and Amelia really care about the boy. I've never seen them this way with anyone."

"I'm sure they just want to protect him," Merlin says.

Gwen cannot help but think that is not the whole truth. "Hmm." She frowns in thought.

——

Amelia's POV

The plan had not worked and Morgana and Mordred had been caught. Mordred is taken down to the Dungeons to await execution while Morgana stands in the Council Chambers silently steaming with anger in front of a similarly angry Uther. They are both like two bombs waiting to blow.

Amelia and Arthur stand off to the side. She is not in trouble as Morgana had only confessed to herself hiding the boy.

"All this time, you've been hiding the boy in my own palace. How could you betray me like this?" Uther demands of her while leaning against his chair at the end of the long table that is placed in the room. His voice gets angrier the longer he speaks.

"I would not see him executed," Morgana says with strange calmness.

"I've treated you like a daughter. Is this how you repay me?" Uther asks of her as he walks closer.

"I did what I thought was right."

"You think it's right to conspire with my enemies against me?"

"How can this child be your enemy? He's just a boy." Her facade breaks.

"He is a Druid," Uther says as if it explains everything.

"Is that such a crime?" Morgana asks sarcastically.

"His kind would see me dead and this Kingdom returned to anarchy and you would help them." He stops walking, now directly in front of Morgana.

"Then punish me..." Morgana says strongly, stepping towards Uther before continuing in a soft begging tone, "but spare the boy. I beg you."

"Make arrangements for the boy to be executed tomorrow morning," Uther says over his shoulder to Arthur, who does nothing except look at his feet, while he walks back up the length of the table.

"No! Please. He's done nothing." Morgana cries, walking after him.

"Let this be a lesson to you." He says stopping and turning to her.

"You don't have to do this," Morgana begs.

Uther ignores her and turns to Arthur, "Do you hear me? I want him executed at dawn."

"Yes, Father," Arthur mutters. Amelia puts her hand on his shoulder in comfort. Uther continues walking.

"What have these people done to you? Why are you so full of hate?" Morgana cries, marching towards Uther and grabbing his arm. Uther grabs her throat and presses her against a chair back.

"Morgana!" Amelia cries, stepping forward but Arthur stops her by pulling her back with his arm around her waist.

"Enough!" Uther yells. "I will not hear another word! Do not speak to me until you are ready to apologise for what you've done." Uther lets go of her throat causing her and the chair to rock back slightly before leaving. Arthur lets go of Amelia and follows.

Amelia rushes up to Morgana. "Are you alright?" She asks, reaching out her hand to touch Morgana's throat.

Morgana nods tearfully and grabs Amelia's hand and takes them out of the room.

——

They now stand in Morgana's Chambers with Merlin perching himself on a table and rocking the chair back and forth with his left hand on the other side of the room.

"I promised that we wouldn't let anything bad happen," Amelia says tearfully, feeling terrible for bringing Mordred hope.

"You can't blame yourself. You tried your best." Merlin says quietly. He has been in a strange mood ever since he had returned from collecting the key.

"It's not enough," Amelia says. Morgana makes a noise of disagreement.

"He's in Kail now. There's nothing more we can do." Merlin says, sounding as if he has already given up.

"We will not let him die," Morgana says with tears in her own eyes, walking over to him. "Can we count on your help?" Merlin pauses before nodding.

"Thank you," Amelia says to him before she and Morgana both leave.

——

She and Morgana go to Arthur's Chambers and wait for him there hoping to reason with him. Arthur enters to see Morgana sitting in a chair at his table and Amelia standing next to her.

"Make yourself at home." Arthur sarcastically says, taking off his coat.

"You can't let your father execute the boy," Morgana says, not wasting any time.

"You're lucky he's not executing you." He says angrily as he drops his coat over the back of the chair nearest to him before moving to his belt and turning to Amelia, "Are you telling me he really was behind the screen when I came to search your Chambers?" Amelia nods looking down. Arthur turns away from them in frustration. "I should not be surprised you two are working together."

"We know you believe your father's wrong to execute him," Morgana says.

"What I believe doesn't matter. My father's made up his mind. He won't be talked out of it. I tried." Arthur says, chucking his belt onto his bed and picking up a goblet and walking past them to stare out of a window.

"Then the time for talking is over," Amelia says, walking up behind him, Morgana behind her.

"Whatever you're thinking, it's not going to happen," Arthur tells them.

"We have to get the boy back to his people," Morgana says.

"No. Forget it." He glances over his shoulder to them briefly.

"I can't believe you'd let an innocent child die!" Amelia exclaims.

"It's too late. He's been caught." He looks at them before looking back out the window. "I have no choice," Arthur says resigned.

"And is this how you will rule when you are King? You're not like your father." Morgana says persuasively.

"I will not betray him." He says, looking directly at them.

"If I know you at all, you won't stand by and let this happen," Amelia tells him. Arthur turns away again. "You will not let a child be killed just for who they are."

"Please." Morgana steps closer. "If you won't do this for the boy, then do it for us." Amelia can tell by what she can see of his face that they had convinced him.

——

Arthur sits in the chair Morgana had originally been sitting in while Amelia and Morgana stand on either side of him. They are discussing the plan they had come up with when Merlin enters.

"Sorry. Was I interrupting something?" He asks, not fully entering the room as they all stare at him.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with. Go make yourself useful, muck out my horses." Arthur orders.

Before Merlin can leave, Amelia pipes up, "We trust Merlin." Morgana nods in agreement.

Arthur motions for Merlin to enter and Merlin steps in closing the door. "We're going to break the Druid boy out of the Dungeons."

"You can't do that," Merlin says. Amelia frowns at him.

"We have to. Uther's going to execute him at dawn." Morgana says also frowning.

"I mean... it's too dangerous." Merlin backtracks. "Morgana you have already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time he'll never forgive you. And I doubt he will forgive Amelia as well as he will then know she has been apart of this for the whole time."

"We are not worried for ourselves," Amelia says.

"Merlin's right," Arthur says causing Amelia to look at him. "When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect Morgana then possibly Amelia of being involved. If he doesn't already."

"It's suicide," Merlin says. Amelia wonders if Merlin has been informed about Mordred's future, probably has by now for definite due to how he is acting.

"Morgana you must go to my father and apologise. Both of you dine with him, he cannot hold either of you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes." Arthur says, thinking this through.

"You need one of us if the plan's to work. You can't do this on your own." Morgana tells him.

Arthur thinks for a moment before smirking, "Merlin will take your place."

"Me?" Merlin questions.

Arthur stands, walking over to stand in front of Merlin. "I'm going to take the boy out through the Burial Vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the City walls. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off."

"No- no, I can't..."

"Merlin. Do you understand? If you're not there to meet us, we'll surely be caught." Merlin nods after hesitating. Arthur then leaves the room. Amelia hopes that Merlin will pull through despite what Kilgharrah tells him.

——

That night, Anne helps Amelia get dressed for dinner in her Chambers.

"Thank you." She says after Anne ties her necklace behind her neck and turns around and sees Anne's expression.

"What is it? What's wrong?" She asks.

"You're risking so much for this boy." Amelia opens her mouth to protest put Anne continues. "Trust me. I am all for saving someone being persecuted for their magic. I can relate to that but you don't know anything about him. You don't even know his name."

"There's a bond between us," Amelia says. She does not know how else to explain it even to Anne who she knows would understand the most out of everyone.

"Enough to risk Uther's wrath?" She understands where Anne is coming from.

"It's like nothing I've ever felt before. Perhaps I was always meant to help him," She says earnestly.

"How can that be?"

"I don't know. I can't explain it." She says, desperately hoping Anne will understand. Anne sighs and shakes her head.

"I must meet Morgana and go to Uther," Amelia says tiredly, walking towards the door.

"Good luck," Anne calls after her. Amelia turns and nods her head.

——

Amelia walks behind Morgana as they enter the Council Chambers to where Uther is eating as she knows that Morgana needs to lead this one.

"I have come to apologise, My Lord," Morgana says with tear stained cheeks. She can really put on a performance. "You have been generous and kind and fair. And I owe you everything. I truly don't know what came over me. I acted without thinking of the consequence. My behaviour was unforgivable." She sounds as if she is about to burst into floods of tears as she gasps for air.

"I am glad you've seen sense. I hope Amelia will learn by example," he nods towards her, "Dine with me. Both of you. Let's put this," he coughs awkwardly, "unfortunate incident behind us."

——

The warning bells begin to sound after she and Morgana had sat in their seats and had begun to eat. Amelia cannot help but look up in worry.

"Guard!" Uther calls and a Guard enters. "Find out why they've sounded the warning bell."

"Yes, My Lord."

Amelia feels a hand touch hers and she looks up to Morgana, who is trying to give her a comforting smile. She squeezes the hand placed on hers to say thank you.

Eventually, a Guard re-enters the room. "My Lord. I regret to report that the Druid boy has escaped from the Dungeon."

"What!? How?" Uther exclaims, standing up.

"My Lord, he was assisted by some accomplices. The Guards are searching Camelot as we speak."

"Find him and his accomplices and kill them," Uther orders angrily as he walks to the end of the table where Morgana and Amelia sit.

"Yes, My Lord." The Guard then leaves.

"If I discover that either of you were somehow involved in freeing this boy, the consequences will be extremely severe." Uther now stops next to them and looks down with hard eyes.

"My Lord, you know we respect you too much to ever betray you like that," Morgana says as innocently as possible.

"I made promises to your fathers that I would protect you both." He bends down and is more at their eye level. "But if you cross me again, I will break those promises without a second thought." Uther leaves and Morgana scowls while Amelia blinks shakily.

What is going to happen next?

——

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

#bbc merlin #merlin

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Merlin/Lancelot domestic life hc?

Aww🥺

Chaos. To put it simply. Everyone thinks Merlin is nuts and Lance is soft and gentle because they forget that Lancelot, despite being all about honour and honesty, was 10/10 ready to commit himself to a lifetime of identity fraud after 1 (one) cute twink stared at him with puppy eyes.

They spend so little time together during the day because of their jobs, so everyone is super confused at how they know EVERYTHING about what the other is doing?? Arthur will casually imply he hasn't seen Merlin in a few hours, and Lance, without missing a beat, will say "he's in the lower town shopping for Gaius." Everyone is baffled because... Lancelot has been with them the whole time?? Leon will quietly, to himself, wonder how long until the most recent border patrol gets back, and Merlin, without looking up from the paperwork he's filling in for Arthur, will mutter "they've just reached the city's outer wall, they'll be back in about a half candle mark, depending how long it takes them to untack." Lance is on that patrol, sure, but how did he know?? Merlin and Lance are talking constant shit in each other's heads, that's how. Gwaine once jokingly calls it a lovers' intuition and... Merlin and Lance are terrible at coming up with excuses so... yeah, sure, lovers' intuition it is.

According to google they're the same height, so cheek kisses/chin kisses/shoulder kisses, every single time they see each other no matter what. Even if they're both in a terrible hurry and just pass each other in the corridor. They're not big on general PDA, especially when they're around other people, but they do sort of gravitate to one another. When they're with the knights/Arthur/people from Camelot, Merlin always finds himself stood slightly behind Lance. When he first realised this he was like "oh my Gods I really was born to be a servant I see a Sir and I put myself behind him without even realising wtf." but then Lance is all "...no Merlin, you numpty, I put myself in front of you because you're a godamn wizard in the middle of the we-hate-wizards Kingdom." and Merlin tears up a bit. BUT when they're in the lower town or out in the forest, it's the other way round. Merlin doesn't have to worry so much because people are far less likely to notice if he has to do some magic to protect his hunky bf.

Just like they aren't really into PDA, I feel like pet names and endearments don't crop up very often either. Very VERY occasionally a "my love" will slip out but like... only if one of them has almost died or they haven't seen each other in a few days. Mostly it's just "Merls" and "Lance". When Merlin is feeling particularly teasing, he'll call Lancelot "Loverboy" and he goes fucking RED, and he’ll mutter something about being "technically older than you so YOU'RE the boy except you're not actually a boy because that would be... never mind. Shut up."

The others think the relationship is super sweet, and in the early days both of them got really blushy if anyone mentioned it, but later on it's only Lancelot. Merlin stops caring what people think really quickly (it's not that Lance cares, he's just easily flustered), because Lance is basically the only wholly good thing in his life, so unless anyone says something genuinely bad about him/the relationship, it doesn't bother him at all. To be honest, I feel like no one figured it out for like... six months?? And it's not because they hid it, it's just because they'd always been fairly affectionate anyway, and everyone else is stupid.

When they move in together, Merlin tries to demand he just moves into Lancelot's knight room to make things easier, but Lance insists that isn't fair on Merlin and they get a little house in the upper town instead. It's not posh or anything, it just needed to be close to the castle. Neither of them have many belongings anyway, so everything starts off really neat and tidy, but once the novelty of having their own space sets in, it fills up with shit so quickly. Lance is always buying Merlin books and silly shelf trinkets and Merlin is always buying Lance clothes and weapons. Of course they have a whole room dedicated to healing, because A) They both have quite dangerous jobs/destinies and are always hurt, and B) If for whatever reason the Physician's chambers are full (be it sickness, or an attack, etc), Merlin wants to be able to help. It's the ONLY room in the house that's tidy. As for cooking, I feel like they're both pretty good? Merlin is better at throwing something together from nothing, probably from patrols in the wilderness and life in Ealdor, but Lance is better at putting together a significant meal when they have proper ingredients.

Hunith ADORES Lance, and honestly that makes Merlin so ridiculously happy, UNTIL she starts sharing embarrassing childhood stories. But Lancelot more than makes up for it by telling the two of them the trouble he used to get into as a child.

People though that once the truth came out about the magic and everything is legalised and Merlin is promoted, things would get better/more tolerable. They do not. They pull more pranks, they team up against everyone else and it's chaos. Gwaine had pink hair for a week. Leon started speaking in a French accent. They stole every single one of Arthur's left shoes. BUT they are also one HELL of a power couple in court, always ready to team up to bully an arsehole councilman or stand up for things or scare people. They're not even really aware of it, but Gwen catches on really quickly and demands that Arthur start seating them together during council meetings (originally he had Merlin on one side, Gwen on the other, and Lancelot was further round the table somewhere in amongst the knights) because she knew if they (the non arseholes) wanted anything done, Merlin and Lancelot could push it through.

~

I hope this is enough for you anon!! I love this and I love YOU!!!

#bbc merlin #mercalot #merlin/lancelot #lancelot #sir lancelot #merlin #send requests #send asks #asks #requests #bbc merlin headcanon

[kalee60]

@larkboyd Larissa! I'm sorry you're having a really crappy, awful day! I get you, I honestly do, the last few weeks have been really... Well... trying is probably a polite way of putting it.

So therefore in response to your cry for a distraction and a little care and love - I present you with this little one-shot - I quickly threw it together in the last hour so apologies for any mistakes.

I hope your day gets better and that when you get home tonight you can relax, put your feet up and remember that even though we are all on opposite sides of the world @darter-blue @iamsherlockedondoctorwho and me (plus so many more) are always there for you 😘

Enjoy this Merthur fic made just for you!

*~*~*~*~*~*

Merlin sighed heavily as he hung his coat over the back of his chair, seeing that he was the only one in the lab's office once again. Frustration didn't even begin to cover it, especially when his phone started to ring almost immediately. 

Eyeing the most hated piece of technology on his desk critically, Merlin tried to work out telepathically if he could figure out who was calling.

A rap on the partition window between his office and the next made him jump. Gaius was staring directly at him, giving him the Eyebrow of Contempt, a phone to his ear and pointing towards Merlin's, which hadn't ceased it's relentless mating call.

"Welcome to Camelot Labs, this is -"

"- Merlin you fool, it's me."

Merlin looked up to see Gaius run a hand over his face tightly, oh right. Maybe he shouldn't have gone out the evening before.

"Were you at the tavern again last night, are you still drunk?"

Looking heavenward, Merlin finally sat down, booting his computer up and wedging the phone between his ear and shoulder.

"It's called a pub, Gaius, and what do you need, I'm extremely busy." He proceeded to place each of his three coloured pens (blue, black and red) neatly next to his blank notepad, adjusted his takeaway coffee so the pattern on the cup faced him, then picked up the red pen and wrote his name with a flourish on top of the page. The heart over the I, probably the best one he'd ever drawn.

"You're on your own today."

"What?" Merlin yelled, dropping the phone to glare at his boss who just shrugged in return, the Eyebrow suddenly looking a little more friendly in the presence of Merlin's plight. He picked up the god awful device to exclaim hotly, "You can't do that to me! I can't hold the fort down by myself, take all these calls, I'm not a wizard that can magically conjure a second Merlin."

Gaius did not look impressed at his sarcasm, Merlin grumbled some more and took a long pull off his coffee. It ceased to satisfy.

"I'm trying to get one of the boys from marketing down here to help."

"Oh no, no you don't. This is why you're calling me through the window? Isn't it? You're too scared to stand before me and tell me - I'm telling you, you can't send me one of those lunk-heads, those clotpoles who wouldn't know their arse from their -"

"- their what Merlin?"

"Gaius no!" But Merlin was speaking to nothing, Gaius had hung up and was suddenly nowhere to be seen. Gritting his teeth, Merlin spun around to watch Arthur fucking Pendragon walk over and put his bag down at the desk… the desk right. Next. To. Merlin.

He wasn't having it. Arthur was the biggest douche to walk the hallways of Camelot, always pushing Merlin's buttons in meetings, and generally acting like a Prince holding court. It didn't help that his father Uther ran the company.

"And what brings you down to the bowels of the Camelot Labs?" Merlin snarked, then opened up his emails only to see a hundred new ones. Oh god, his day was over and it hasn't even begun.

"Gaius said you needed help, so here I am. I can go if you like."

Merlin gave Arthur the side eye, "can you read reporting figures to let departments know their results?"

Arthur nodded and sat his coffee cup down, seeing that it was from the same place Merlin bought his. Huh, maybe his taste wasn't that awful.

"Can you use the online filing system for collections and batch records?"

The nod came again, while Merlin watched Arthur place two pens either side of his notepad. Rookie. He wouldn't be lending his red pen out, even if Arthur begged. And that was not an image Merlin needed to see in his mind. Arthur on his knees, walking towards him… begging and naked.

"Fuck," Merlin exclaimed, noting how Arthur raised a brow sardonically at him. "Can you use a phone?"

"Can I use a… really? Look, just tell me what you need me to do and I'll do it. And don't be a dick about it."

Scowling, Merlin quickly showed Arthur the phone, the programs and what he needed done. He ignored the crisp, woodsy scent that clung to Arthur's skin as he leant over him, and he most definitely ignored when Arthur's arm brushed against his then left it pressed there, for almost a minute. Not that Merlin was counting.

Yes, Arthur was helping, and it was much better than being there alone, but Merlin, although very vocally did not like Arthur, had always found him unfairly attractive. And that set him on edge, made him feel itchy under his skin, knowing that Arthur, who was basically royalty on the London scene wouldn't even look twice at someone like him. So it was much easier to be an arse.

Four hours into their forced working conditions, Merlin had to admit that Arthur was actually more of a help than a hindrance. And it grated his nerves.

"Maybe next time, you should write the batch into the system before you give out the results."

Arthur's brows were in his hairline as he turned to face Merlin, and he felt a flush rise up his cheeks, it honestly didn't matter the order you did it in, but he had to say something.

"You really don't like me do you?"

The retort died on his tongue when he realised Arthur was serious.

"Err, well, it's not exactly that, I actually think you're -" his phone rang, thankfully halting anything else he might blurt out unintended. 

A few minutes later he was off the phone and typing again, lost in calculations and figures when he heard the chair next to him roll over the floor, and it didn't stop.

Startled he looked up into bright blue eyes, eyes that were only a few inches away.

"You were saying?"

Merlin's cheeks filled once more and he couldn't help the small gulp, audible in the quiet lab. Oh god.

"I was saying that I think you're a complete arse, " Arthur's eyes narrowed at his words, "but if you had a red pen, and stopped taking mine, I'd actually admit you've been a huge help today."

Arthur's face transformed into a grin and Merlin couldn't help mirror it, having never been on the receiving end of it before, or had he, and he'd just blocked it out? But Arthur was still too close, within touching distance and as if realising it for the first time as well, Arthur ducked his head, before looking up again.

"Can I buy you a drink after work, Merlin?"

Startled, Merlin floundered for a moment, uncertain what was happening and why Arthur Pendragon was asking a lab tech out.

"With you?"

Arthur's laugh was deep and fond, another anomaly, "yes with me. I thought you were smart?"

"I am, thank you very much, ask anyone and they'll tell you that I can -"

"- no Merlin, I meant I've been flirting with you for months and you've completely missed it, haven't you?"

Merlin's mouth was agape, he knew it, Arthur knew it, and he snapped it shut. Arthur thought he was...? He wanted to go for drinks and...?

"I'm taking that as a yes on both counts."

"My god you're arrogant..." Merlin started but faltered when Arthur grinned broadly at him.

And feeling off balance wasn't something Merlin relished and as Arthur started to wheel his way back to his desk, he reached out, fingers tangling in the collar of Arthur's shirt and yanked him back. The wheels squealing on the floor.

Falling forward he pressed his lips against Arthur's, feeling the shock run through the other man's body, and Merlin smirked until Arthur's hand came up to cup his cheek, thumb running over the skin softly, reverently then pushed forward into the kiss. Oh. He'd not expected the feel of tongue against his, the slip of their lips as they deepened the kiss, nor hear the small unbidden moan falling from Merlin's throat.

It was the sweetest and most perfect first kiss he'd ever received.

"Well that shut you up for a minute." 

Well it was until Arthur spoke. "One drink, that's all you get Pendragon."

And with a conceited smirk that hit Merlin directly in the guts, and a push of his chair, Arthur put his headset back on and looked Merlin directly in the eye.

"Perfect, I like my coffee black in the morning, preferably before I get out of bed."

And Merlin could do nothing but snort and shake his head fondly as he answered his phone, greeting the person on the other end brightly, holding Arthur's blue sparkling eyes in his gaze. Maybe it wasn't going to be such a terrible day after all.

#mywriting #Merthur #Larissa I hope this helps you a little bit ❤️ #always here if you need a chat #gorgeous people are lovely #spread the positivity people!!! #arthur x merlin #you have this way of teasing an unintentional Merthur fic from me 😂

[merlinficreview]

Accidental Memory in Case of Death Review Part 1!

Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by derryere

Word Count 74987

 So I know it’s been forever but working night shift really does fuck normal basic human functions all over the place and that’s why I haven’t been so on top of my shit here.

This fic is my favorite fic ever. Seriously. It’s even a reincarnation fic which I normally hate. I was scrolling through the Merlin tag the other day and noticed that this had just recently been posted on AO3 so what better time to review it? There aren’t any chapters so I’ll just have to break this up some other way.

As always italics represent direct quotes from the fic and bold represents italicized writing within the fic.

Let’s do this!

“He takes whatever sleep he can get.” That’s our opener. Not looking good for this kid here. Mystery character is sleeping on a train bench. Like a hobo. Smells like fic!Merlin to me!

“The compartments' low windows angle the morning sun, letting the light through and colouring it a shade of brown in even, rectangular shapes on the platform floor. He blinks and numbly takes notice, wading through the brightness of it, not quite sure what day it is or how to differentiate this morning from any given morning of the past three years.” Well that’s a sort of depressing outlook. I’ve been there before though.

Mystery character makes it to campus and goes to class to sleep, just to be woken up by a friend named “Art” who appears to still be high from the previous night. Sometimes he and Art sleep through their classes, “On days like that, they quarantine the back of the hall, splaying themselves over the chairs that weren't made for sleep at all, dozing off to the sound of lectures they'd attended before in previous years but in which they—every time again—had forgotten to pay attention.”

What is going on that this character needs so much sleep? Why is he not sleeping at home? Does he have narcolepsy? I am concerned. Also, pay the fuck attention. College is way too expensive to be failing multiple classes multiple times. P.S. and spoiler alert: “Art” is not Arthur which took me a ridiculously long time to realize the first time I read this. You’re welcome.

Mr. Narcolepsy observes his fellow classmates and this is where, though we don’t know it yet, we get the introduction to the second half of our pair: “Then that particular group of girls who always sit together—and out of all there's only one he thinks is hot but she never looks up at the right time—sitting next to Heineken, a broody kid who takes his skateboard to class, and whose real name is forever lost due to a supposed incident during first year introduction that involved a beer bottle, an unsavoury way of putting it to use and a partner too drunk to care.” Ok then.

“Someone calls him, a mate or someone's mate, a sharp, ‘Oi, Tony,’ usually toward the end of the lecture or maybe even after it, as they saunter their way towards the cafeteria. ‘You up for it, tonight?’” Tony? What the hell?

Ok, yes I’ve read this before so I already knew this but the first time I read this I was hella confused.

Anyways, Tony goes home and tells his mother he is going out. He parties all night, which we don’t see and this is actually fine because the way it’s written, it doesn’t feel like an eye roll worthy, SHOW US, DON’T TELL US moment. Nothing feels missed by us not being at this party.

So then Tony goes home and awkwardly goes to his mother’s room, loudly eating cereal, sitting at her “bedside.” He wakes her up and they have a conversation which is written kind of oddly because we only get his side of the conversation. I originally read this as he was talking to her on the phone and was confused as to why he went to her room to call her, and also a little concerned. Tony tells her to go back to sleep. Why are you being so weird about your mother, Tony?

Magical Paragraph Break with: “(day one)”

Arthur and Merlin are having a conversation about being king. Merlin asks Arthur what the one thing he would do for himself would be. Arthur’s response is, “’I don't know,’ he says. ‘Allow sparring indoors? Always wanted to do that. Like a sparring room, where you can, sort of—jump on the tables, and all, with the swords and . . . I don't know. I'll cut down on the dances, probably.’ He thinks about this for a moment, and then, ‘I hate dancing.’” Merlin makes fun of him but I think it’s kind of cute that Arthur wants to spar indoors. It would be dangerous so they’d have to make up some rules so no random castle worker doesn’t accidentally walk in on the middle of a sparring match and get hurt. Anyways, what I like about Arthur’s response is that it’s 100 percent something for him and wouldn’t negatively impact anyone (unless there were no rules) and Arthur probably so rarely just got to have fun growing up so this could be the one thing he can do for enjoyment. Merlin says the one thing he would do is paint the castle green. I also approve of this.

Merlin then changes the subject and asks about Arthur’s future in terms of getting married. He gets really upset during the conversation, you know because he’s in love with Arthur. Merlin asks Arthur if he’s even been in love and Arthur says he has. Then there’s awkward silence until Arthur asks Merlin the same question. Merlin asks how one knows when they are in love and Arthur says Merlin would know. Then Arthur kisses him and they race to the castle which of course ends up with Merlin straddling Arthur, as you do, “Merlin doesn't feel the gifted victory is any less of a victory when he rolls them over in a bit of a scuffle and ends up on top—straddling Arthur, holding his hands to the ground over his head. Arthur is beaming up at him, eyes bright with the playfulness of the game, and he wordlessly laces his fingers with Merlin's—sending both their hearts skidding and sliding and falling all over themselves within their chests. Merlin fills up and then runs over with it, with the goofy grins and wide eyes, and leans down in a brief, quick movement—lightly kissing Arthur, for just a moment.” What I like about this is that it’s kind of sweet? Like even though it includes the annoying cliché of boys being boys playing and oops, now one is on top of the other trope, it’s kind of adorable.

Back to Tony: Tony is once again sleeping in a public place. I don’t understand this. Why doesn’t he sleep at home like a normal person? Quit bothering your mother and go to your room and sleep, dude.

Tony recognizes someone and thinks about how he occasionally sees people from high school on the train on Fridays going back home. “Usually, Anthony has no one's company to resent but his own.” Damn, Tony.

The person he recognizes is Heineken, whose actual name we don’t know yet. They make awkward eye contact and the train comes to an abrupt unscheduled stop. Heineken lights a cigarette to which Tony tells him he can’t, so Heineken leaves the train. Fair enough.

Tony gives him an annoying party pooper lecture about how the train could leave ASAP and Heineken is just 2Kool4Skool so he points out that the situation is sketch anyways because the doors to the train shouldn’t be unlocked. P.S. spellcheck doesn’t highlight 2Kool4Skool.

Anyways, Tony gives in to peer pressure and follows Heineken. Heineken finds some ruined stone structure.

Tony makes super awkward conversation, “’You're a second year, aren't you.’ Anthony strolls after as the guy skips over the wall, following its inclining path—up a slight hilling easily mistaken for higher grasses. ‘What of it,’ he says, flicking what's left of his smoke to the ground, stepping on it as he goes. Anthony shrugs. ‘Nothing. Just . . . ‘ He pushes himself off on his knee, climbing up the ascend. ‘We have some classes together, don't we?’ ‘Do we?’ A quick, wry glance. ‘Never noticed.’ Noting the thick sarcasm to that, Anthony nods while pursing his lips into a thin line. He looks down and pretends he and his friends haven't—once or twice in a distant past—on seeing this guy skate across the campus path, shouted something ugly in his direction for the sake of a laugh.” Yikes. Be more of an asshole, Tony. It’s also super weird that he’s hanging out with Heineken like this after he’s been so horrible to him.

Heineken continues on even though Tony suggests they go back, “The momentum gives him a bit too much movement and he nearly runs the last few steps, jogging into the field before setting in a slow walk toward the single boulder placed—quite randomly—in its middle.” Sword in the Stone boulder maybe?

As they approach the boulder, Anthony asks Heineken what his name is and Heineken refuses to tell him, pointing out the nickname Tony and his stupid friends gave him. Then, “’Look at this,’ he says, tentatively pulling at something sticking out of the veined, grey surface. Anthony turns, comes to stand closer and feels a cackle of his own escape his lips at the sight of eroded metal—a distinct hilt of some sort—peeking out of the stone.” Heineken tries to pull it out; he fails so Anthony gives it a try. For a second, it seems like it’s going to work but then there’s a magical gust of wind and the next thing we know, Tony is being woken up by the train conductor and told to get off the train. Heineken isn’t there.

Tony walks him and when he gets in, he wakes up his poor mother. He tells her he fell asleep on the train, “’Yes, well, that wouldn't happen,’ she tells him as he makes for the open kitchen, rifling through the cabinets, ‘if you went to sleep at decent hours. Like the normal human being I raised you to be, yes. Not a hamster.’” She knows what’s up.

Tony goes to bed and has some weirdass dreams about going into the woods and killing boars with spears. Gee, I wonder what that’s all about?

“It stays strange when he looks at the microwave and marvels at it, thinks: how peculiar. It is strange when he scours the room for a pendant he forgot somewhere before realising that What, and What? And that he doesn't have a pendant, hasn't ever been given one by a great-uncle because he doesn't have a great-uncle and it stays strange throughout the day—giving him headaches, confusion thumping at his temples, and he thinks it's perhaps really gone on for too long, he's gone without regular sleep for too many years and that's it, he's gone mad, he's gone off his rocker and this is how— “ So... Tony’s having a bit of an off day.

Tony’s weird friend Art calls and asks him to hang out. “He goes out that night. He goes, Fuck the exams, and changes his shirt, ruffles his hair and—looking in the bathroom mirror—hollows his cheeks, slaps the sides of his face to a quick rhythm. He listens for the telltale honking of the small car when it stops out in the street, and when it comes he jogs down the stairs, keys in hand. I'm going, he calls out to the rooms of the house. Be back later.” Well that’s an interesting way to get ready.

“’Wait, Anthony, come here for a second,’ his mother replies from her bedroom behind the kitchen, and he goes—smiles in the doorway as she makes a vague gesture for him to come near, help her out without actually saying it. He crouches by her side, then, lets her hold on to his neck as he lifts her out of the chair and sets her down on the bed.”

I don’t understand the relationship Tony has with his mother. Is she an invalid? Why is he lifting her out of chairs and tucking her into bed? She was perfectly capable of walking over to him the night before.

At the party, Tony and Art and another friend of theirs get into a fight. Tony hits his head. “It could be his addled brain reacting to the blow that confuses him for a moment with a rushing flash of things he doesn't remember ever happening but that are still in his head.” Ominous.

Tony says to Art that they’ll have a story to tell people about the party. “’Not much of a story, though, issit?’ Art says. ‘Some tosser shoved at you and you bravely retaliated by fainting the fuck all over yourself. Well done, Tones. Well done.’” Ahahah nice one, Art. That actually made me laugh.

Tony not at all subtlety brings up Heineken to Art and asks what his real name is. Art says his last name is Hawk, so we finally realize Heineken is supposed to be Merlin, what with the name connection. Tony gets super defensive about the rumors surrounding Hawk and the beer bottle. Art says the other person involved in the incident tried to sue Hawk. “’He's supposedly really filthy rich, you know,’ Art cuts in. ‘The Hawk bloke. So, yeah, all I'm saying is—you never know what his family did to keep it all hush hush. You know how they are, old money and all. Don't take very kindly to bottles up the arse.’ ‘This is bullshit,’ Anthony says, deadpan, adding a small laugh. ‘Seriously, Arthur. This is complete bullshit.’” See here’s where my confusion is, I don’t understand why the author decided to call Tony’s friend Arthur. It just makes everything so much more confusing which is why it took me forever to decipher who was supposed to be whom.

After the party, Art and Tony get something to eat and Art tells Tony there is something different about him, cue flashback annnnnnd scene.

Magical Paragraph Break: “(day two)”

Arthur decides that he and Merlin should take a little trip and Merlin is beautifully sarcastic about it. Arthur teases Merlin that he’s going to take someone else, which of course Merlin can’t have.

So they go on their trip, which is on foot for some reason. “Halfway up the incline, Merlin gives up and collapses on the dusty road, all sweat and heaving breaths, one arm slung over his face. He hears Arthur come to stop a while ahead and chuckles, breathlessly, as he yells, ‘Don't worry about me, Arthur!’ He vaguely waves his free hand in the air, dismissing the approaching man. ‘You just keep on keeping on. Really. I'll be fine. Here. Dying. You just—just save yourself, go, don't look back.’” Merlin is me any time I’m required to do anything physical.

Arthur offers Merlin a piggyback ride and it’s adorable even though Arthur is sweaty and gross. “’You are a very sweaty man,’ Merlin tells Arthur a while later, cheek resting on his shoulder.  Arthur, a bit breathless with exertion, tries for a sarcastic laugh but gets as far as a puff of breath. ‘I am carrying you up a hill,’ he says on an exhale. ‘You might want—to show—a bit more—‘ The gravelly stones crumble under them, and Arthur steadies his footing. ‘—Gratitude.’ Merlin smiles into his neck, holds on a bit tighter and says, ‘You are soooo strong.’ And, ‘The power of your arms is enough to render us mortals speechless.’ Arthur grumbles and Merlin moves his lips close to his ear, adding a quiet, ‘My Arthur. So chivalrous.’ ‘Shut up,’ Arthur says, but strokes his thumb along the side of Merlin's knee all the same—small, continuous rhythms all the way to the top.”

They look over the hill at the kingdom and makeout a bit. End flashback.

Meanwhile, Tony is losing his shit. He’s sitting in the classroom the day of an exam and waits for Hawk to show up. “Anthony is walking before managing to register the way his heartbeat picks up, the way his nerves—already frazzled and out of sorts all weekend—jolt to attention like a warning as he approaches the boy. ‘We need to talk,’ is how he starts, standing closer than strictly necessary—angry for no good reason.” Be creepier, Tony.

Tony is super confrontational about the train situation which I had honestly forgotten about for some reason. He asks Hawk if they were on the train together and Hawk gives a nonanswer. Serves Tony right. “With huffed breath, Anthony lets his hand drop. ‘What do you mean what if—what does that even mean? Jesus, I—was there a crash? I mean . . . ‘ He runs his tongue over his lip, nervously, blinking rapidly. ‘Something's wrong. In my—‘ In a shaky pause, he briefly touches his forehead. "I can't—think right. We . . . got off the train, right? That wasn't—I didn't dream that we . . . ‘ At this the boy's bravado slips a little, and there's a bit of an edge to his voice when he replies, ‘I don't know.’” Tony gets kind of mean and blames it all on Hawk. Hawk rightfully tells him to fuck right off. Then Hawk just awesomely just skateboards away, ignoring the fact that they have a test.  Tony thinks about following him. “He curves the board as he reaches the double doors, pushing them open without even stopping, and Anthony is going to shout something—something insulting, loud, anything, but the intention gets stuck in his throat at the familiar yet impossibly alien idea of something like this, of him and the boy and a fight, a market and—oh, don't walk away!—the stumbling, the laughter, like nothing that had ever happened before and yet—“ Awww, memories!

Tony goes back to the room for the exam and continues to have a fractured reality, getting confused about the scene in episode four of Merlin with the golden chalice. Damn straight, I knew the episode number right off the top of my head, in case you were wondering.

Anthony leaves the exam hall and catches up to Hawk, grabbing his arm. This next whole scene is so good, you’re getting it all.

“The boy's arm tenses under his grip. The movement of muscles shifts against his palm, through the fabric of his plaid shirt, and Anthony's heart is sent racing. The inexplicable reaction of recognition has him fixing his jaw, clenching it, trying to hold it down—keep at bay the dozens of ideas, thoughts and pleas that push at his mind, clearly not his, never his, yet somehow there, like a noise that's been turned up.  The boy doesn't move. He stares at Anthony with a furious lack of understanding, a tenseness, a sense of suspense in those expressive, wide-set eyes. It is such an odd face, such a peculiar sharpness and build, but he feels no need to look at any particular part of it—the image so easily detailed in his mind already—thinking of a birthmark on the side of the boy's neck before his gaze flitters down to see it.  His breath leaves him as his hand slips down the boy's arm, holding on still but now to his wrist. Swallowing, he runs his thumb over the edge of the sleeve—then tugs under it, brushing over the warm skin, back and forth on the inside of his wrist.  ‘Merlin,’ he says, croakily, not sure what it means but feeling it all the way to the pit of his stomach.  The boy takes in a shaky breath. ‘Fuck,’ he whispers on the exhale, and his fingers curl down—briefly touching Anthony's before he snatches back his hand, fisting it at his side. He glances around quickly, as though wary of anyone having seen them, and on finding the quad as good as deserted save for distanced voices—a faraway visitor taking a picture of old corridor arches—turns back to Anthony, licking his lips as he says,

‘Not here.’ And, ‘Come on.’”

How good is that? I like the, “noise that’s been turned up,” description. And Anthony calling him, “Merlin.” Hawk realizing that he’s not the only one with these visions and giving in for a second. My heart, guys.

So then they introduce themselves. Hawk’s first name is Emory and he tells Anthony they are going to his house.

They get to Emory’s apartment and there’s some awkward frantic frottage. The part I want to point out is this,  “’Fuck.’ Emory tightens his hold, the rolling, upward movements of his hips losing accuracy as he gasps out, ‘Arthur, god, Arthur, don't—‘ All Anthony can do is reply with a low, ‘Merlin,’ and, ‘Merlin, Merlin, Mer—‘ as he kisses his way down his jaw, tilting up to get his teeth on those lips--Christ, those lips—but Emory turns his head with strained certainty, muscles moving as he clenches his jaw. Anthony tries to follow it, but Emory stops him with a forced, ‘Don't.’” Emory’s reaction to Anthony calling him Merlin is important later. For Reasons. Afterwards, Anthony just leaves without a word.

Magical Paragraph Break: “(day three)”

Merlin is super busy doing the work of a bunch of other servants because Arthur has given him nothing to do for two days. Arthur finds him working and says they should go for a ride. Merlin tells him he can’t. “Arthur wants to know why. Why, why must Merlin ruin all the fun, must insist on getting himself absolutely filthy doing a job that isn't even his to begin with rather than have mad fun with Arthur—which is, theoretically speaking, more or less his job. ‘Because,’ Merlin explains quietly, ‘the rest of the household dislikes me enough as it is.’ Arthur gives him a disbelieving look. He pushes off the table, flopping onto the bench next to Merlin without much grace. ‘Why would they dislike you?’ Merlin pauses for a moment. ‘Do you know of any other servant who gets time off to laze about with his master because it's too hot to work?’” I can’t say I blame the other servants. I’d be so pissed if I was working my ass off and there was one coworker who I looked over at and was doing nothing. Oh hey…

Arthur then proceeds to follow Merlin around bothering him when he’s working. It’s cute but oh man I would be so pissed if I was Merlin. Arthur spends his time making sexual comments and asking stupid questions, “Arthur flitters behind him as he works, following him around with that stupid grin, chewing on the fruit and asking what's that (‘A spatula.’ ‘Oh, right.’), what was that? (‘Dunno.’ ‘Felt like—the ground was, uh, shaking.’ ‘They're probably just taking down the chandelier upstairs.’), and once, when they're alone, sliding close with a hey, hey, what're you doing? ‘Washing the cutlery, Arthur.’ ‘Is the cutlery dirty, then?’ ‘What?’ ‘Is it very, very dirty, Merlin?’ ‘What?’ ‘Is it very, very—‘” 

HAHA Four for you, Arthur, that made me laugh. I’ll even forgive the mess that is the structure of that paragraph.

Merlin throws dirty dishwater at Arthur, they play fight and then Arthur decides to help Merlin wash dishes. “Merlin raises his eyebrows at it, but doesn't look up—doesn't say a thing. Arthur, all nonchalance and soapy clumsiness, starts to idly chatter about the feast. The new servant maid who set fire to the tapestry. The tapestry they used to have in the east wing with the weird imagery that made no sense until someone hung it upside down one day, and once it did make sense it had to be taken down altogether.” This is hilarious. I could totally see something like that happening.

Afterwards, they make out a little in a corridor. I feel like they could have easily been caught but what do I know. End Scene!

Anthony is still having a meltdown. He googles “King Arthur” and “Merlin”, learning nothing, then for extra funsies googles “gay.” He starts watching gay porn but can’t get into it. Then he has a little flashback of Arthur and Merlin and has a big gay crisis about it after he gets turned on.

Anthony spends the next few days hiding out in his room with all these new memories. His mother reminds him he’s missing another exam. Damn, how long has Anthony been locked up in his room? How many exams does this class have?

Anyways, Anthony misses the exam but hangs outside the room looking through the doors to see if he can find Emory. Like a total fucking weirdo. Art comes out of the classroom and Anthony asks him if Emory is in there. “’I don't know?’ Art says by way of a question, looking puzzled, as if unsure of the funny in the joke. ‘I don't give a shit? Look, Anthony, are you—‘ ‘You were just in there, what d'you mean you don't know? I mean, for fuck's sake, the guy has a skateboard with him, how fucking hard is it to miss someone walking around with a—‘” Calm down, Anthony. Damn. Not everyone is obsessed with Emory like you are.

Anthony then stalks his way over to Emory’s apartment and bangs on his door so much a neighbor comes out and tells him to leave since Emory isn’t there. Anthony just goes back the next day. Damn, dude. 

He ends up buzzing the neighbor’s apartment and the neighbor tells him Emory is at work at the supermarket nearby. Anthony then stalks Emory at his place of work. Not. Fucking. Cool. He demands that they talk. “’It's . . . ‘ He sighs, rubs a hand to his brow. ‘It's getting worse. I don't know. I keep on—remembering. You. And, well, these things that we—‘”  Emory isn’t a fan of having this conversation at work, you know, with coworkers around. So they go into the alley behind the store. Which wasn’t a very good idea because then Anthony shoves him up against the wall and the start more awkward frotting. They continue calling each other Arthur and Merlin.

When it’s over, Emory attempts to go back to work and they have a little fight because Anthony doesn’t want him to leave. “Emory, going from wary to a kind of angry in a flash, lashes out in a hissed, ‘Listen, you're having your weird, quarter-life gay—crisis of—whatever. I don't care. And somehow, ironically, you've decided to take it out on me. So excuse me if I'm not thrilled to—‘ ‘Do not,’ Anthony interrupts with another half-aborted step. ‘Do not make me out to be the crazy one. Don't even—You were there. On that train. Out there. You were there. You—when I touch you, you call me—‘ ‘Shut up.’ Emory says it with a threatening finger in Anthony's direction, then again, ‘Shut up. Stop.’” What I like about this is that we get another subtle hint that Emory isn’t 100% cool with all of this.

Emory ditches work and they go back to the train to find the field again. It’s not there so they decide to drive up the next day. Emory tells Anthony to pick him up at his parents’ house.

The next day Anthony discovers that Emory lives in a massive house. Anthony runs into Emory’s brother who knows exactly who he is since they attended the same school. Emory finds them and they leave on Anthony’s motorcycle.

They reach the field and the big boulder isn’t there. After looking around they sit down in the grass and Anthony asks Emory about the big house. “He turns away with a scowl. ‘Don't talk to me like you know me.’ Anthony stares at the back of his head. He frowns, notes the tense set of his shoulders under his worn shirt—the taut lines of his back. Reaching out, soothingly stroking the small, exposed stretch of skin along the side of his lower back, Anthony quietly says, ‘I do know you.’” Poor Emory. Anthony needs to fucking chill.

Anthony asks Emory if he remembers other people from back then. “’They're not my memories.’ Looking at Anthony, then, serious and nothing like the short glances from before, Emory says, ‘We're not them, you know.’ ‘We look the same,’ Anthony replies, feeling weirdly defensive of this point. ‘Yeah, but that's a part of the mindfuck. And that's what it is.’ He keeps his gaze level, earnest. ‘A mindfuck.’”

Emory mentions how confusing the whole thing is, “’I know. Me too.’ Anthony tries to catch his eye. ‘But I remember him, though. All of it. It's like . . . at least it feels like I'm remembering you.’ ‘I am not him. I'm not.’” So again, we get the hint that Emory is super uncomfortable with all of this and Anthony is oblivious.

When they get to Emory’s apartment, Anthony asks him to go get a drink with him and Emory tells him he wants to ignore whatever’s been going on and that he and Tony aren’t friends. Anthony is upset by this but he doesn’t really argue. After Emory goes inside, Anthony calls up his friend Art to hang out. He and Art go to a club where he hooks up with a guy who looks like Merlin/Emory. Art catches him and asks him about it. Anthony gets super defensive and then leaves.

That’s it for this part. Off to an interesting start. I like how Anthony and Emory have different names and personalities from their previous incarnations. I also like how much the flashbacks/memories negatively affect them. Often times when you read a reincarnation fic, Arthur and Merlin just kind of are like, “huh. Ok then!” and it’s all easy peasy. This feels like something much more organic to what would happen if this was a real situation and I like that. It also like Emory’s constant insistence that he isn’t Merlin, something Anthony isn’t quite willing to grasp, which will end up causing a bunch of problems later on. My only criticism would be that the structure of some of the paragraphs is odd but whatever. It’s not so bad that it distracts too much from the story.

Until Next Time:

#merlin #bbc merlin #merlin fic #review #Accidental Memory in Case of Death #this is my favorite fic #I love it so much #Merlin is not Merlin #Arthur is not Arthur #reincarnation #Anthony has a weird relationship with his mother #Emory skateboards and is 2Kool4Skool

[lil-llewellyn]

Merlin can hold a punch and apparently he's Emrys... except it mildly confuses Arthur

"Who is this so-called champion? Can he crash nothing but weaklings like this?" Arthur took no notice of Merlin looking stunned.

"Can you offer a better contest?"

"I guarantee it!" answered Arthur proudly, rescuing a friend in need like he always would. Merlin turned to Arthur.

"Actually, that's a bit insulting."

"What?" Arthur looked shocked. People were meant to thank him while he showed off his courage.

"And what makes you think I'll be interested in your pathetic wibbly movements?"

"Because while this prat knows me as Merlin, to some I am known as Emrys."

"You?" The bandit leader carefully studied Merlin's suddenly squared shoulders and straight chin.

"Merlin? What the hell does that mean?" Arthur recognised the name. He wished he didn't. The most powerful sorcerer, the one that his father had a habit of lecturing on most exhaustingly. "Merlin..." he couldn't believe it. He couldn't be. But Merlin himself admitted it. His best friend. A sorcerer. An evil, evil sorcerer. "Are you seriously implying that you're... you're... the sorcerer we've been searching for for months?" That would definitely explain a few things. For instance, why they haven't found him yet.

"Arthur, have you damaged your head in some way?" Merlin looked genuinely concerned. "Or do you really think I have to be a sorcerer to win fights? This is even more insulting actually." Merlin did his best not to look alarmed. Perhaps getting himself another identity (as a boxer-fighter) wasn't such a great idea after all.

"Don't look at me like that, Gwaine, you know I'm right. These scoundrels prefer hand-to-hand combat, don't they?" Arthur could only stare at him in disbelief.

"I've heard rumours of Emrys. I just never pictured... you. Wow, man!" Gwaine displayed a mixture of being taken aback and gleaming with pride for his friend.

"If you really are him, then we're in for a real treat tonight." The bandit smiled. His day kept getting better and better.

"But-" Arthur still couldn't process that his world changed drastically two times in two minutes. Merlin? The clumsy one with ridiculous ears? Insulted by being rescued? Possibly a sorcerer? A highly dangerous one? And now a kind of some famous fighter? That was somehow even harder to believe.

"Actually, princess, I think Merlin really should take this one, especially if you don't want to make a fool of yourself." Gwaine added a smirk that clearly implied 'more than you already are' .

"Merlin can't hold a punch, let alone throw one!" Perhaps it should've concerned Arthur that it was much harder for him to believe that Merlin could hold a punch than that he could be a wildly-dangerous sorcerer.

"Seriously, Arthur, what is wrong with you today? You really are in a good mood, aren't you." Merlin huffed. Now he simply had to show Arthur his capabilities. A demonstration would be nice. If the idiot really was so oblivious about his punches, he'd love to see his face in realisation of just how good they actually were.

"Is my champion ready?"

"I am, my lord."

Arthur and Gwaine turned their heads in unison and blinked in sheer horror.

"You can't fight him, Merlin- there's no chance- let me take your place-" They both gasped in disbelief as they saw grinning Merlin.

"Percy! Long time no see!" He wasn't a bit surprised, his friends realised. Could he actually stand a chance against a giant such as this?

"Hello, little man. Fancy meeting you here." The giant radiated a pretty pleasant smile. Huh. What a day.

"Are there any specific rules? Like no tearing eyes out? Or no more than three broken ribs? Or no biting fleash?" Merlin looked quite serious.

"Just the first one."

"More fun than The Rising Sun then." Arthur stared at him. Elegant words failed him.

"What-" he tried. "What th-" he tried again. "How d-" he simply had to try his best. "Three broken ribs?" Merlin slightly shrugged.

"I did hope he'd settle for six in the end, it gets rather unpleasant after that." Arthur still found it difficult to express his utmost disbelief.

"Gets rather unpleasant after six broken ribs?"

"It does, doesn't it? " Gwaine looked at him with concern. Did royal blood mean that his ribs were made of steel?

"But you never had a broken rib in your life!"

Right. That was it. Merlin gasped in mock-hurted shock. Gwaine looked at Arthur pitifully.

"It must be hard, being so dumb."

Arthur blinked.

"Let the fight to the death begin!" Arthur closed his eyes. This was not real, he convinced himself. Gwaine noticed slight fuzziness in his head. Merlin fighting to the death? With a giant? Because the princess insulted him? Huh. What a day.

Punch.

"Percy? Care for a chat? You are a druid, aren't you? Don't let Arthur know, by the way." Merlin didn't want to get anything away, but not much chances were left, so he tried mental conversation. Percy nodded.

Punch.

"The winner gets to be the next champion?"

Punch.

"I don't really know, I wasn't around for long, he just assumed I'm intimidating enough and gave me the role."

Punch.

"Right, so, whichever one of us wins, someone gets killed. Got that. Can we run away?"

Punch.

"We're in a middle of nowhere, running is easy. We still need a distraction."

Punch.

"I could punch the big guy."

Punch.

"Nah, nobody cares about him anyway. We need something big."

Punch.

"I could call a dragon here."

"Wait, really?"

"Watch out!"

Punch. Gwaine shouts excitedly as Merlin almost knocks the giant out. Arthur blinks.

"Sorry. We need a distraction. Right. I could knock everyone out with one blow."

Punch.

"You intend to not give yourself away, right?"

Punch.

"Hell, it's getting too dark to see."

Punch.

"That's your blurred eye. Sorry."

Punch.

"I could still do with a bit of light here." Merlin's eyes turned golden just for a moment as he looked at the torches.

Punch.

"You overdid it! The net thing above us is on fire!"

Everyone storms out in panic.

"Percy, take Gwaine, Arthur will freak out too much if you touch him."

Merlin tries his best to get through to Arthur by shouting and even talking, but he's too deep in thought about his skinny servant. How come he could avert from a punch? He hadn't shown anything like this in any of the bandits' attack so far. And the stamina? The speed? The agile mind? This was not happening.

"Forget that, could you carry Arthur like a princess? He's in shock and isn't too agreeable to move at all. I'll take Gwaine."

Merlin sighed. Ugh. What a day.

#merlin #merlin bbc #arthur #rolling eyes #arthur bbc #merlin nation #merthur nation #merthur #bbcm #gwaine #sir gwaine #percival #sir percival #merlin punches #emrys #badass merlin #you bafoon what were you thinking #badass #bamf #bamf merlin #confused arthur #confused gwaine #arthur pendragon #confused knights of the round table