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[hopelessromantic5]

This continuation may be longer than originally planned.

I both love and hate when that happens.

King Arthur happens to be traveling through Ealdor the exact day the citizens decide they’ve had enough of Merlin.

Labeling him too dangerous, they tied him up on the pyre in the center of town.

As long as Merlin had been alive, he’d never seen this pyre lit.

He would’ve just gotten himself out of this situation with his ‘gifts’ if it weren’t for his poor mother.

The villagers would never let her live in peace if he magically disappeared.

No, this was the only way she could go on living, even with a broken heart.

He didn’t fight. He didn’t really hear much of what they spit at him. But he could hear his mother wailing at him, to save himself, to do whatever he must do.

He’d resigned himself to an early death.

Tom, the town representative, started spewing some righteous words at him. New Religion words that didn’t quite make sense to him, but that’s to be expected. He is, himself, a creature of the old religion, if prophecy is to be trusted.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself, serpent?”

Merlin opened his mouth to tell his mother that he loved her, but he stopped short.

In the distance, he could hear a sound.

The beating of hooves on hard, cold dirt.

Visitors were approaching.

It must be fate, he thinks.

As the horses drew closer, the villagers slowly turned their attentions away from him.

Merlin simply hung his head, letting the Earth he loved so dearly decide which way his life would swing.

“What is the meaning of this?”

A calm, steady voice came from behind him. Deep and concerned. Merlin wished he could see the man.

“My lord,” Tom bowed, as well as he could, which was strange.

Upon realization, Merlin’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head, were these visitors noble? They never had nobility stay long enough to make comments on anything, only ever just passing through.

“I asked you a question.” The voice said again, with all the authority of someone who’s used to using it.

“This man is a sorcerer, sire. We were just-“

“What has he done?”

“Sire?”

“What has this man done to call for these extreme measures?” When no one answered him immediately, he rephrased.

“Surely there must’ve been a crime committed?” As if it’s a question.

Merlin’s mother pulled herself out of shock and brought herself forth.

“He did nothing, sire.” She spoke firm and unmoving. She must’ve seen hope in this man that Merlin had yet to lay eyes on. “He’s only ever used it for healing wounds and helping our gardens in the winter. Please have mercy on him, my lord. He is my only son.” Tears started falling as her voice broke. She finally met Merlin’s eyes again and he smiled at her, weakly.

“So this man-“

“Sorcerer.” Corrected Tom. What a dick.

“This man, did nothing but heal you and help you survive and this is how you repay him?”

Again no answer.

The man seemed to gesture at Tom, walking towards the town elder, and bringing him finally into Merlin’s line of sight.

The doomed boy nearly gasped.

Silver and red bled together in the sun, armor and finery melded like roses in white sand.

The man-the lord…the knight? He had golden blonde hair, that shone like it’s own light.

Blue eyes made even more obvious and striking surrounded by unblemished, sun-kissed skin.

“You seem to be leading the horde. Tell me why?” No, answer. “Cut him down.” A command. The stranger’s face was a hard, blank line.

Funny how, even then, he didn’t feel like a stranger. But Merlin was in no state to remember it.

“My lord, I do not think that would be wise. Your father was the one to wage war on magic-“

“I am not my father. Cut him down.”

Merlin swallowed. Uther Pendragon was the only person in his mind that waged the war on magic, that began the purge. Which means this man could only be his son, Prince Arthur.

What a prince he was.

Well, King, now.

No wonder every person in the vicinity practically dropped to their knees upon his arrival. They’d all heard stories of ‘The Just King’ that now reigned over Camelot. Giving whatever he could to his citizens that needed it most, never turning anyone away who seeks shelter. Merlin had heard the same as everyone else. Seeing the King in person now, he was in awe.

“I will not endanger the lives of all who live here.” Tom turns back to Merlin with the lit torch.

Merlin held his breath, but the second Tom turned away from him, the King pulled his sword. It made the loveliest sound as it left the sheath.

The sound of salvation.

Tom had the tip of a majestic blade directed right at his throat, as the King spoke again.

“I said, cut him down.”

The look on the King’s face was one that could kill.

Merlin wondered momentarily why he cared so much.

Finally someone from the crowd stepped forward with a knife and began to cut away Merlin’s ties.

Hunith leapt forward and engulfed her son in a hug, while also somewhat holding his body upright.

He did not want to let go, considering he thought he would never get to hug his mother again. But the entire village was watching them.

As was-

“What is your name?”

It was phrased as a question but spoken like a command. Merlin knew it was directed at him without opening his eyes.

He did, reluctantly, release his mother and turn to the golden King, facing deep blue eyes head on. Never cowering.

“Merlin.”

The King must’ve seen something in him. Something every other person was blind to or chose to ignore, simply because he was a peasant. He took a step closer and Merlin could hear the tiny tink of metal pieces on his shining armor, as he did so.

“Well, Merlin.” He said, as if trying it out for himself. “Seeing as I’ve just given you your life, I’d like to ask a favor.”

Merlin’s curiosity was peaked, to say the least. King’s didn’t ask favors, they took whatever they wanted.

King Arthur did not wait for a reply to continue.

“I’m in need of assistance. And I could use someone with a gift like yours, specifically.”

Merlin narrowed his eyes in minuscule doubt. Doubt of intentions, doubt of his safety.

The King somehow knowing his exact thoughts said

“Of course you would be permitted to come back when you are needed. And when I have accomplished my goal, if you wish, you can leave. I will not keep anyone against their will. I am simply offering.” A small smile played on his mouth. Flush pink lips. He also held up his hands as if to say ‘I will not harm you’.

Merlin’s gut told him to follow this man.

Terrifyingly, his intuition told him to follow this man, practically a stranger, anywhere. Everywhere.

Merlin felt a pull he’s never felt before. In the moment, he assumed it was immense gratitude for saving his life.

Merlin turned to meet his mothers eyes, he already knew what she was going to tell him.

“I think it will be good for you. To get out for a while.” She smiles softly.

“Will you be alright?” He whispered, glancing at the crowd still gathered around an unlit pyre.

“I’ll be fine.” She grabbed him in a bear hug, like she always did. “And if they boot me out, I’ll come find you.”

Merlin sighed into her shoulder.

“Alright.”

When Merlin turned back, the King had turned his eyes to the ground, giving mother and son a moment of privacy.

Merlin was starting to warm to him already.

“Can I pack first?”

King Arthur met his gaze then, doing that half smile thing, again.

“I suppose.” He nodded. “But don’t dawdle we need to move if we want to make it back before sundown.”

“Yes, sire.” The title which usually held reverence and respect, was laced with sarcasm. He didn’t seem to think twice, as he strode away towards their hut to gather his things.

If Merlin had looked back, he would’ve found a fully beaming King looking after him and about six knights with faces of complete shock.

And perhaps, one knowing mother.

[hopelessromantic5]

Merlin looking away because he knows he’s lying but also enjoys pushing Arthur’s buttons. Just boyfriend tings.

bbc merlin - 03x01 The Tears of Uther Pendragon I

"of course, well, you are the expert at fighting with your eyes closed"

why are they like this

[hopelessromantic5]

The devastating difference between how much time it takes to write something vs how fast people read it lol

[hopelessromantic5]

Heavy on that last part. I’ve read so many fantastic stories under 1k. In multiple fandoms.

Fanfic tiktok is wild... I see so many people saying shit like "I could never read anything below 60k!!", or "What story can you even tell in under 5k words?" or "A oneshot below 10k isn't even a story!" or "I always filter completed fics by 100k< only!"

And I'm like...

A) which fandoms are you reading fics for where you have this kind of offerings on the regular?

B) have you heard of short stories? If you truly think every story NEEDS to be longform to connect with people, I sincerely feel sorry for you.

C) Average novel length is between 50k to 100k. I'm sorry, but CONSISTENTLY demanding fic writers to push out fics of that length is insane. Just think about it: YOU DEMAND AUTHORS TO PUT OUT FICS THAT COMPARE TO COMMERCIAL NOVELS IN LENGTH (AND QUALITY) AS A BASELINE.

Yall are wilding.

[hopelessromantic5]

If Arthur remembers one thing in this life, it’s Merlin and his eyes.

Boy, stand up. 💀

bbc merlin - 03x10 Queen of Hearts

scenes that make clinically insane

[hopelessromantic5]

there is, in fact, a "platonic explanation for this" if you're not a coward

[hopelessromantic5]

Never fails to tickle me.

I see you as more of a head louse. Right. Useless. Irritating.

[hopelessromantic5]

addicted to saying "ill definitely check that out" about things that i will definitely forget to check out

[hopelessromantic5]

Reading amazing fanfiction, then forgetting to bookmark it

[hopelessromantic5]

I love that Arthur and Gwaine are still kinda taking in their surroundings, checking for danger. And Merlin is just

“If I don’t keep an eye on you two, who will?”

bbc merlin - 03x08 The Eye of the Phoenix

you may know them as courage, strength and magic. but me? i know them as the charlie's angels. alvin and the chipmunks. powerpuff girls even.

[hopelessromantic5]

Saving this for later. 🫶 thanks in advance

In honor of us TRENDINGG, here are five fics 💯 worth your time:

1. My breath are run by your compass by @regulusrules [20k+] [post-camlann fix-it]

This fic has torn and mended my heart at the same time; it’s what we deserve, what you deserve — the Golden Age after Camlann with a stab (in the heart, pun intended). But golden it is, I promise.

Need I say that this author is the same mastermind behind my heart is readily yours?

2. The Phantom of Arthur Pendragon by @clockwrkpendrxgon [15k+] [dark!arthur]

This fic is going to make on you on the edge of your seat 24\7, GUARANTEED. A mind-blowing plot twist and a new, sinister side of Arthur post-camlann. But we fix him, don’t worry, and it ends happily, I swear. Enjoy the ride!

3. hold me closer by summertimeroses [1k+] [touch-starved]

When I tell you I’m a complete sucker for touch-starved fics, especially when it’s Arthur, I mean it 100%. Short, sweet and so heartfelt. Our love needs to be held more, doesn’t he?

4. Sanctuary by LittleGreenGirlxx [3k+][domestic fluff]

Fluff. That’s it— fluff for our weary hearts. Winding down merthur fics will always be a top need for this fandom. We know enough pain. Complete idiots in love and soft Arthur POV.

5. and love, I find, has no considered end by @schweetheart [690] [sharing a bed]

I will never get tired of these two sharing a bed, especially when it’s winter. The softness. The warmth. It is moments like these that make us swoon over them over and over again.

[hopelessromantic5]

The reason I love pen names and think they should make a resurgence. If you want the glory that’s totally cool, no shame in that. but I feel like those of us who aren’t great at peopling would benefit from writing under a pseudonym.

(If you couldn’t tell I hate taking accountability. It’s a problem.)

[hopelessromantic5]

reblog if you’re a lesbian who supports bi girls, a bi girl who supports lesbians, or if you want all wlw to have a nice day

[hopelessromantic5]

Just posted a new Starchaser fic that’s been sitting forever. It’s still not done of course but it’s a good start to post.

(I will return to my original content, always. Just spicing it up a little.) 🖤

[hopelessromantic5]

I think about this often.

You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love 'til it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other until it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

3.08 | Lovers Walk

[hopelessromantic5]

Heterosexual cowboy is what got me.

So true.

Things that work in fiction but not real life

torture getting reliable information out of people

knocking someone out to harmlessly incapacitate them for like an hour

jumping into water from staggering heights and surviving the fall completely intact

calling the police to deescalate a situation

rafting your way off a desert island

correctly profiling total strangers based on vibes

effectively operating every computer by typing and nothing else

ripping an IV out of your arm without consequences

heterosexual cowboy

[hopelessromantic5]

If anyone needs some new springtime music recs, Hoziers new one Wildflower and Barley is phenomenal. Also Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes.

Just passing it on. Much love ❤️