#Emrys reveal

[giacarem]

The motivation I needed to finish the next chapter of my Merlin fic comes to you from the worst week I’ve ever had in my entire life. If you want to find out more just wait for the author’s note of the next chapter lol

[merlinmylove]

Gwaine: Merlin being a dragonlord makes so much sense! No wonder the wyverns suddenly left us alone at the perilous lands and the isle of the blessed

Leon: What do you mean the perilous lands? when where you ever there? and who do you mean by “us”

Arthur: No one! Gwaine is talking nonsense as usual, ignore him

Gwaine: Of course! Because if I wasn’t talking nonsense, I would be implying that Prince Arthur didn’t complete his quest alone and unaided

Leon: Sire?….

Arthur: How is it MY fault that Merlin snuck along and also brought Gwaine!?

Merlin: And you’re lucky I did, otherwise you would’ve been wyvern fodder by now!

[justaz]

*merlins magic gets exposed in front of the knights*

merlin, magic user: oh fuck

arthur, finally taking this opportunity to pretend as if he just found out merlin has magic after agonizing for the past month on how to bring it up: you have magic?

lancelot, merlin defender, already knew of merlin’s magic: no! i have magic

gwaine, merlin defender, already knew of merlin’s magic, lover of chaos, ride or die: no, i have magic!

mordred, desperate for his hero’s approval bc no matter what he’s done emrys just stares at him with distrust and the poor boy is tired and so close to tears: no…i have magic.

percival, raised by druids and bonded strongly with mordred over that and does Not agree with the persecution of magic in camelot, had an inkling that merlin had magic but no proof: no. i have magic.

*leon and elyan exchange a look, elyan, amused and leon, exhausted, elyan shrugs*

elyan, knows how much gwen adores merlin and completely understands her stance bc merlin…is merlin, down to clown and put on a show, really playing up the dramatics: no! i have magic.

leon, exhausted, has known of merlin’s magic since he stepped foot in camelot, knows of his feelings for arthur and arthur’s feelings for him, knows arthur knows of merlin’s magic and wouldn’t harm him, thinks everyone is being absolutely ridiculous:

*the knights stare hard at leon and even merlin looks slightly offended at leon not jumping to his defense with the rest of the knights, arthur hasn’t said anything and is staring at leon expectantly*

leon, sighing: …no. i have magic.

[likecommonpeople]

No more Merlin begging for Arthur’s forgiveness after the magic reveal I think Arthur should have to beg and plead and sob for Merlins forgiveness. I think he should have to fall to his knees and babble apologies for how awfully he’s treated him and how he’d do anything to make it up to Merlin for everything he’s ever done and said, not only against magic but also against Merlin. Idk

[tora-the-cat]

post magic reveal the knights all waiting for Merlin to pretending and 'acting a fool' now that they know his secret, only....he's not. Pretending or acting a fool, that is. They keep expecting him to be a different person then they knew, and he keeps....not doing that. He's still a shit liar, he can not tell an untruth successfully; that's never been in his skill set. He's still a clumsy oaf. Yes, yes, he's God, also can not hold his alchohol. He's objectively inhuman and he'll never stop crying over dead animals. He can do literally whatever he wants, and what he wants is to remain a servant with seven shirts three scarfs and two jackets to his name. This insistance will not stop him from bitching about being hungry or tired or cold, even though technically he doesn't need to eat or sleep or feel tempatures if he doesn't want to.

the knights coming to terms with the dicotomy of 'basically god' and also. 'their little guy'. Like he's their little guy, AND he's basically god.

[penneinwonderland]

Headcanon- Merlin only ever tells one person about his magic and it’s Arthur. Morgana finds out when Merlin helps her out of a magical panic attack and proceeds to beg for his guidance. Gwen suspected for a while before confirming he has it when Morgana confesses that she has magic and someone has been helping her. We all know how Lancelot figured it out. Gwaine knew when he was called magic by the guardian. Leon, Elyan, and Percy all saw glimpses of magic in fights. When Merlin tells Arthur for a brief moment he thinks Arthur might snap. He doesn’t even realize that the rest of the table is behind him glaring at Arthur.

[aquabreezy]

My new favorite Merlin AU is that Merlin finally confesses to Arthur about his magic, but Merlin is too flustered to think straight and there’s some miscommunication.

What Merlin says: I have magic 😔

What Merlin thinks he said: I am a powerful sorcerer and I use my magic every day to protect you and all of Camelot. We are two sides of the same coin, our destinies forever intertwined. Spare me and I will help you become the once and future king.

What Arthur hears: I know a few cantrips. Please don’t kill me.

So Arthur eventually comes to terms with Merlin knowing some magic and things kinda go back to normal except Merlin starts using minor spells in front of Arthur to speed up chores.

But then while Arthur is working to legalize magic (because of course he would) and make reparations to magic users, he asks Merlin to accompany him to a meeting with the Druids. Arthur asks the Druids to nominate a court sorcerer and they just look at him confused like

Druids: why not ask the great sorcerer Emrys?

Arthur: ok where do I find him?

Druids: points to Merlin sitting 1 foot away

Arthur: why did you hide this vital information from me!?

Merlin: … I did tell you, didn’t I? Whoops

Bonus

Arthur: Gwen! Knights! Merlin is the most powerful sorcerer to ever live! Can you believe it?

Everyone … yeah. We saw him shooting Lightning while riding a dragon just last week.

Arthur:🫨…😐

[orpheeeeus]

Merlin: *buried in Arthur's arms, not really believing the man is hugging him* Say, Arthur?

Arthur: Yeah?

Merlin: Aren't you. I don't know. Afraid?

Arthur: … of you?

Merlin: Yeah

Arthur: *tightening his arms around merlin* Never

Merlin: *bitter laugh* Why? Because I'm useless?

Arthur: *choses his words carefully* No, it's because you're a good man

Merlin: I- *pauses, blinks, sighs* I'm not a good man, Arthur. I-I've done things

Arthur: *tenses, doesn't dare to interrupt because he knows merlin would clam up if he did*

Merlin: *tries to sound resolute* I had to do it.

Arthur: *with pity or compassion* Really?

Merlin: I had to protect you.

Arthur: It's not your job to protect me, Merlin

Merlin: *suddenly tears himself apart from arthur* But it is! *frantic* You're the Once and Future King! Or you will be! I have to protect you, I was born to protect you!

Arthur: *astonished by Merlin's frenzied, almost fanatic, voice. Whispers in dawning horror* What are you talking about?

[caraspud]

Rambly reply:

I think Merlin would be cautious around Mordred, since he becomes very paranoid and colder during the later seasons. Perhaps Mordred brings some of the older Merlin back (for the merdred).

Merlin wouldn’t want Mordred around Arthur, not just because paranoia, but because he can’t bear to see someone else be killed for magic. By keeping him away it reduces the chance of him being found out. Merlin in my head has lived in a magic fearing community all of his life (both in Ealdor and Camelot), so he has a lot of trauma and has learnt to keep himself hidden. This is hard to overcome.

I think Mordred would be the more optimistic of the two. Merlin, though he does believe in destiny, I think he starts to lose faith that it would ever happen. Maybe mordred is the one to reveal his Druid nature to Arthur, Merlin being scared clutching a jug but ready to defend if necessary. Protective merlin. Merlin knows Arthur wouldn’t hurt Mordred, but he knows Arthur will regret it if he said anything to hurt the young knight. Overall Merlin has been hiding for too long to flip a switch and suddenly be ok with a lot of people knowing he has magic.

Mordred helps Merlin connect more with magic, years of self suppression difficult to overcome. Maybe after Arthur learns of his magic but Merlin still doesn’t use it making Arthur/knights question how powerful Merlin presumably is. Mordred doesn’t like this, makes them know how much merlin has done for all of them. If lance still alive au, Lancelot is very proud to welcome Mordred into the Merlin protection squad.

Early on Mordred is still worship-y about Emrys, this makes merlin very uncomfortable. So Merlin is distant with him about this as well. Eventually Mordred sees Merlin as a man who has the burden of destiny on his shoulders.

I think Merlin would give in and start going into the woods or abandoned room in castle or even the dragon cave to start practicing, this makes Merlin start to remember a time when he did magic for the joy of it. Not to protect, not to kill, not for destiny.

Maybe a grand magic reveal, merlin being a bamf. Mordred and the knights blushing messes at the show of power, and Mordred realising that holy shit he is Emrys. But realising that he is also just Merlin.

If the prophecy is still a thing that they don’t know about, that would definitely be a tension if they later find out after they become friends. I think Merlin would start building those walls again, Mordred trying desperately to get him to stop. But Merlin is just trying to protect himself. Maybe they discuss it, and Mordred shows how he wasn’t solely responsible for Morgana even if he did play a role. And that there were different points destiny could of changed. That destiny is not set in stone. This would also have Merlin spiralling into a whole “will Arthur ever play his part in the destiny I’ve been holding for us”. Answer either “I do not know” or “Your destiny is stronger as it has been told unchanged for far longer than any other”.

There was this one fic I read that had Merlin talk to Mordred about losing his own love to Arthur’s hand, and talks about Freya. It doesn’t get rid of the pain but it helps Mordred see he is not so alone and also of he sacrifice Merlin has already made. Merlin also talks of the prophecy, he does it to try to curb the prophecy.

Overall I think it would take Merlin a while to take his walls down, especially if this is set in a time where Lancelot still dies.

I always see people discussing the prophecies in Merlin about Morgana and the one about Mordred.

But now, what if [specifically right now] the prophecy about Mordred does not exist?

Or if it does exist, what if Merlin did not know about it and never found out?

What do you think could have changed?

What would have happened?

And for my Merdred shippers, what if the tension between them was this time not because of the prophecy?

[thatonedudeinthecorner]

“Why didn’t you tell me about your magic? What are you so afraid of?”

My favorite part about being in the fandom space as both a fic writer and an artist is that I can torture MYSELF when I thing of angst scenarios

[lolazoel]

Merlin's Titles!

(How accidentally revealing your status as a king and god may help you marry your boyfriend)

Perchance I read too many fanfics but, consider, if Arthur and the knights have found out about Merlin's magic but unaware of the extend. Let's say... they know he's a warlock and dragon lord. You know what? For the fun of it, let's make it Merthur too.

Imagine a scene, Arthur's at a banquet, already king, not married to Gwen, Lancelot is alive. The knights are joking around, drinking, Lance goes up to Gwen and Merlin who lean against a wall, chatting. Lance asks Gwen for a dance. She blushes and lets herself get dragged away. Gwain takes her place, flirting with Merlin who snickers. The song ends, Lance and Gwen return, grinning and in love. Gwain pushes himself off the wall.

Gwaine: Well, now that Gwen is back she can take care of your tasks for a moment, right?

Merlin: *nods*

Gwaine: *bows* allow me this dance, Lord Merlin?

Merlin: *blushes* That's not my title...

Arthur (who came up to them because he got jealous and also wants to ask Merlin to dance): Oh? What is your title then?

Merlin: *blushes harder* really?

Gwaine (who orchestrated the entire situation): of course, Merls, you gotta tell us the full title. How else would we know how to address you?

The room: *slowly getting quieter as more and more people listen in on the king's conversation*

Merlin: *groans* i hate you

Arthru: spit it out. Don't pretend to be interesting.

Merlin: Fiiiiineeee... Well, we got Merlin Ambrosius, Lord of Dragons... I think after Nimueh I also got Master of Life and Death... according to prophecy also Emrys, King of Druids, God of Magic... *he smiles at Arthur* and completion to the once and future king

The room: *blue screening, buffering, very silent*

Arthur: *kisses Merlin*

Gwain: Lance... did you know Merlin's a god?

Lancelot (very glad he made friends with the kid who almost got eaten by a griffon): I didn't even know about the Life and Death part... though it makes sense... his mortality was always unsure

Geoffrey Monmouth: *frantically searching for laws that make hurting Merlin illegal and make a marriage between Arthur and Merlin legal.*

According to the law loopholes define Merlin as a genderless entity, therefore marrying a god is actually legal. Attacking a noble, especially a Lord and King, is super illegal, making Merthur legally supported and haters imprisoned or dead.

I just really like the thought of Merlin revealing his titles like a collection of scout badges... especially because I hc Arthur to have a competency kink, so finding out his boyfriend technically outranks him is a turn on. Don't tell me i'm wrong, you all saw the show. Arthur definitely has a thing for powerful people

[abisalli]

sometimes he forgets the power behind his magic and goes a bit overboard-

[giacarem]

At this point it'll be years and I'll still not have finished this fic

Hello! Is anyone still here? I hope so, because I will be abandoning this fic over my cold dead body.

Here is the long-awaited chapter three. See you probably in another five months (jokes, hopefully not, I will actually cry)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61010101/chapters/169796932

Fic where, after Arthur has legalised magic but before Merlin has revealed his magic, Arthur hears that a sorcerer named Emrys can see into the future and grant prophecies, and decides to seek him out to ask him about the future of Camelot and Merlin panics

So Merlin tries to convince Arthur the whole time that maybe it’s not the best idea to seek out this apparently all knowing oracle, and what about whether this guy is even real or if he has the abilities in the first place (because as far as Merlin knows, he’s not a seer. Sure, he can see the future if he looks into the Crystal Cave, but it’s not an innate ability like Morgana’s visions)

But Arthur is determined so he takes Merlin and his knights and sets out to where Emrys is said to reside (and Merlin can’t help but think the entire thing is nonsense anyway, because where did this guy get his information from? Merlin very obviously does not live where ever they’re going)

The whole time he’s also thinking about ways to disguise himself once again if he indeed does have to present himself as Emrys to Arthur.

Anyways, they get to the abandoned castle where “Emrys” lives and surprise surprise, it’s an imposter

Merlin is now very angry and annoyed but for totally different reasons

He very subtly tries to discredit or trip up this “Emrys”

Merlin: I thought Emrys was a dragonlord

“Emrys”: Of course I am

Merlin: Then, why don’t you call a dragon?

“Emrys”: Ummmm

Arthur: Merlin, don’t be silly, all the dragons are gone, you were there when it happened

Arthur: Please, Emrys, I seek to know what will become of Camelot under my reign

“Emrys”: A kingdom is only as strong as its leader. There will be times of hardship, but also times of peace and joy

Merlin: Oh please, that’s so vague.

Arthur: Merlin, do not insult the all knowing, all powerful sorcerer

Merlin: So, how do you get your visions? Through sleep? By looking through a crystal?

“Emrys”: It comes to me naturally, like breathing. My magic always has

Merlin: Interesting, can we see some magic?

Arthur: Merlin, we are not here for entertainment

Eventually it’s revealed that this “Emrys” is a fraud and that Merlin is in fact the real Emrys, but then Arthur keeps expecting him to know about the future

Arthur: Merlin, will I die if I go on this quest to slay the beast?

Merlin, gritting his teeth: How would I know?

Arthur: Mm. I guess I just expected the all powerful Emrys to be a little more impressive

[justaz]

magic reveal where arthur doesn't say a word and starts walking away and then merlin is at his heel calling for him, pleading with him to talk, to let him explain everything, begging for him to turn around and look at him, his voice breaking with grief. arthur has never been able to deny merlin anything and turns but he is still hurt and angry and merlin can see it in his eyes before he even opens his mouth to spew accusations. merlin stands, demure, as he shakes his head yet he doesn't say anything - fallen silent under arthur's rage. arthur walks away and around a corner, merlin doesn't follow. merlin breaks down into heartbroken tears and sobs and arthur is just around the corner, leaning on the wall for support, and listening to merlin fall apart.

[thefabledpheasant]

The reason they couldn’t do an earlier magic reveal is because if Arthur had seen the way Merlin’s eyes turn into pools of starlight when he does magic, Arthurs defenses would’ve fallen and allowed him to realize everything he ever needed was standing right in front of him and everything would’ve fallen into place for them to build the Camelot they dreamed of.

But this is a tragedy.

[merthur-she-wrote]

Prompt:

No one knows who Emrys is. There are prophecies about him, but no way to identify him, as he keeps his magic shrouded, hidden, so he can’t be discovered even when standing in the same room as him.

(They say Emrys will only be revealed by the Once and Future king himself as his closest and most powerful husband ally after the golden era of magic has arrived.)

Not even Merlin knows who Emrys is. After all, no one could tell him when they didn’t know themselves.

But he does believe in Arthur’s future, that Arthur is the king the prophecies have spoken about.

And he’s glad. He’ll keep protecting Arthur, uphold the status quo, holding on until Emrys arrives at last.

After all, it’s hard work looking after this prat; he’d appreciate the help from someone who knows what they’re doing.

By why is Emrys taking so long to show up?