#I headcanon Merlin to...

[karistiltskin]

sometimes i like to fall asleep to the idea of every kingdom being scared of camelot because king arthur decided to lift the ban on magic and it’s revealed that emrys is his right hand man. like yes, wreak havoc and scare your enemies.

on the other side of this, the castle staff and knights have to bear witness to arthur and merlin’s shenanigans everyday. because tell me why arthur is chasing merlin around the castle with porridge stuck in his hair and a spoon raised in his hand while merlin is cackling, bumping into every surface ever.

[kafka030]

In the Quaint Mystical House of Magister Kafka...

Me: Magister Kafka, an interesting topic about staff ! What are your thoughts ? (I shake him slightly, which disturbed him from reading a Grimoire then showing him the post)

Magister Kafka: ... (he blinks slowly and rubbing his chin)

Magister Kafka: If my memories served me right... Back at Serene Lyceum... Indeed, his staff is always with him... I... sometimes polished it out of habit... (he whispers and looks at me)

Magister Kafka: ... and, yes, the students of Serene Lyceum will either craft their own staff or... request the craftsman to craft their customised staff for them... The last option is... asking the staff of the Serene Lyceum for the default staff or wand to lend it to them for awhile... for studies... (he takes a shaky breath and releases it)

Magister Kafka: Sadly, I... can't use staff... or wands... It's because... the gemstones embedded on it will break instantly when my mana surged within it... (he pauses and whispers)

Magister Kafka: I... do have my Sacred Pendant (Artifacts) which acts as... a staff, however... I have never used it in my studies due to the fact that... (his voice trails off)

Me: What is it, Magister Kafka ? (I ask in curiosity and tilt my head)

Magister Kafka: It feels like... cheating so... I didn't use it and wear it as an accessory... (he sighs and ruffles his hair)

Me: Oh... (I pat his back lightly)

Magister Kafka: Indeed, after graduation... The full fledged Mages are free to craft their staff which befits them... (he leans against the couch and closes his eyes)

Me: Mirael didn't use staff ! She's quite a powerful mage from Lyceum and your student, huh ? (I cross my arms and tilt my head)

Magister Kafka: You can... say like that... Her mana is... stable and she can cast her spells properly without the aid of the staff... to amplify her magic output... (his voice trails off and he covers his mouth)

Your staff, Court Mage, is very beautiful. Did you receive it during your service in the castle or earlier? What were your staffs before, during your studies and after graduation?

Hm, thank you. This staff perfectly reflects what I value and it has been in my hands ever since my time at the Lyceum.

You see, upon entering the Lyceum all students are presented with a very simple staff and gem, in order to learn how to channel magic most effectively. Throughout the years, students are encouraged to change the crystal and the "item" holding it, to perfectly align with their magic and style of casting.

Many students will craft their own staff, others have it commissioned from master craftsmen, and some prefer wands or even more exotic items.

Upon graduation every Magister owns their unique staff and as far as I know, in most cases, these are kept for a lifetime. The bond between mage and staff is not trivial.

Having said that, it is not uncommon to make small adjustments and naturally, should such an item ever be damaged, replacements are chosen to resemble the original.

[biarthurpendragon]

hey tumblr. is anyone still actively posting about BBC merlin (and merthur by extension) in 2025?

could you like/reblog this post? I really need some mutuals who are still here <3

[cthulhum]

does anyone realize how crazy it is to have the actor of a mostly headcanoned queer ship say the fans were never crazy and they were right all along after 10+ years of everyone just absolutely going nuts over the said queerbaited ship

[twistedapple624]

Idea for an alternate ending:

Merlin gets Arthur to the lake in time and manage to save him.

They spend the night by the lake just talking, like they have been for the past few days, and realise that neither of them is ready to return to Camelot. For various reasons. They decide to take to the roads instead, just disappear, together.

Eventually their (few remaining) friends start to worry and the queen sends out her knights searching for them. Maybe Gaius points them towards the lake and maybe the knights find a neat pile of Arthurs belongings nearby, like his armour and cape (To heavy to carry and to easy to identify) and just assumes the worst. They knew Arthur was injured, and now presumably dead, but where is Merlin? Perhaps the grief was just to much for him? Perhaps he went home? But Hunith hasn't seen him either.

They are both gone. And life moves on.

Until a few months later when rumors start reaching the castle, about two heroes helping people throughout the realm. A fighter and a sorcerer working together using their skills to take out different threats from low life bandits to magical creatures attacking people.

No one really suspects anythingat first, but Gwen sends out her knights to find these two heroes. To confirm the rumors and if so offer a reward for their bravery. And maybe see if they would be willing to join forces?

It's not until Sir Leon hears a description of the two that he start to wonder.. A blond sword fighter with blue eyes and a regal nose who talks like a noble? A dark haired sorcerer also with blue eyes and a wide infectious smile? And they are constantly bickering and insulting each other? It couldn't be? Could it?

Trying not to get his hopes up Leon still doubles the search efforts.

No matter what they do though the knights seems to always be one step behind the two. Always gone before the knights reach the village or town they just saved. Missed them by a few days, a few hours down to mere minutes.

Somewhere along the way Leon hears about The Kiss. Told by an eye witness who saw the blond grab the warlock by the front of his tunic, haul him in and kiss him fiercely for almost getting himself killed (again, the idiot <- Arthurs note).

And suddenly things are making alot more sense. Why they never came back. Why they are staying away and don't want to be found.

He never tells Gwen. Or anyone. But that is the day Leon starts pulling back, cutting down on the search. Telling everyone it's not worth it, it has been over a year ( several years?) and there are more important things for the knights of Camelot to do then chasing ghosts. It's better if people start moving on with their lives instead. They are not coming back.

An undecided amount of time later Leon finds himself drinking alone in some random tavern in some random town, in an unknown part of the kingdom. When two cloaked strangers sit down uninvited at his table. And as he looks up their hoods fall back to reveal two very familiar and very dear faces.

Merlin grins widely. 'We heard you were looking for us?'

[sword-wielding-sapphic]

[justaz]

lol arthur realizes with the other knights after watching merlin flirt and being hit with a wave of deja vu: holy shit you asked me out

merlin and the rest of the knights around a campfire after leaving a village bc lancelot and leon somehow started a brawl in the tavern: ???

arthur points at merlin: after valiant! you asked me to buy you a drink! you were asking me out!

merlin is busy cooking dinner and confused out of his fucking mind: what???…..valiant….oh the knight with the snakes.

gwaine who was slightly tipsy now stone cold sober and sitting up straight against a tree: wait. explain. what do you mean merlin asked you out??

arthur snaps his fingers as he recalls the memory: i apologized for sacking you and you said that if i bought you a drink we’d be even.

merlin now remembering how he had stumbled into camelot, picked a fight with a pigheaded bully which quickly turned homoerotic and flirtatious, and continued their teasing-flirting for days before merlin shot his shot and asked the prince out only to be rejected: oh yeah, i forgot i did that…..wait, you mean you didnt realize what i was asking?

arthur: no?? we argued everyday, how was i supposed to realize you were asking me out??

merlin now abandoning the dinner and staring across the camp at arthur while the rest of the knights watch their back and forth like a game of tennis: to you we were arguing, to me that was very much flirting. i thought you were flirting back so i decided to ask you. then you rejected me

arthur, mentally beating his past self up for fucking up their chance: i didn’t reject you!!! i just didn’t realize what you were asking me. how was i meant to? we fought every chance we got

leon, nudging elyan, glee and excitement riling through him: its happening!!! its finally happening!!! seven long, grueling years is finally paying off!!!

merlin, realizing the misunderstanding and acknowledging the fact that he wasn’t rejected, his flirtations just weren’t noticed - realizing he still has a chance: oh…oh i see. arthur, my dear, our fights were extremely flirtatious. need i remind you of what you said? “do you know how to walk on your knees? would you like me to teach you?” or “i could take you apart with one blow”

arthur, mental capabilities at an all time low: m…my dear….?????????

merlin grinning devilishly as he realizes that his flirtatious persona he had hidden away after falling head over heels for arthur can make a come back: that is what i called you. should i call you something else? say…mine?

percival gags in elyan’s ear: cheesy

elyan hides a laugh: at least they’re finally getting somewhere. better than the hopeless pining

arthur, flushed from head to toe: ah uh no um im uh

merlin thoroughly enjoying himself: oh come now, your majesty. use your words.

[inalandofsadclowns]

The greatest mystery in bbc merlin to this day is just what was Arthur thinking every time he dragged Merlin into danger with him like some kind of emotional support plushie without any protection.

Sometimes I get the feeling Arthur thought he just made up Merlin in his mind and he isn't real. Like, he's just an imaginary friend who keeps him entertained, makes up silly words, understands him to the core and always has the right answers, often times answers he doesn't like, but the subconscious do be like that.

He doesn't need armour or any protection cause he isn't real. Plus it's easy to keep being mean to your best friend for no reason when you think he's actually you - and you're always mad at you

[achillesuwu]

Merlin isn't afraid that arthur will kill him if he discover his magic, he isn't afraid about people putting him on a pyre. He can snuff the fire if he wished to. He can cut sword (he literally does it as a 80 yo man)

Merlin is stronger than anyone else if he really wanted to, if he wasn't blocked by something else nothing could bare him from conquering the world.

Then what scare Merlin so much? What could make someone who is literally magic make himself appear weak, make him lie so many time that he starts to believe he can be stopped?

Love. Merlin is afraid to be unlovable. To be a monster. He is afraid to never find somewhere to belong to. That's what drive him and what pull him down.

[thefallenangel2008]

Merlin becoming unhinged and paranoid after being alive for 1500 years. Merlin not eating for 1 week straight before he goes like "oh right" because he fucking forgot. Oh, the elevator in his apartment building is out of order, but he has to go to Lake Avalon. Oh well. He's gonna use the stairs. And by "using the stairs" I mean throwing himself from the staircase. It's faster this way! He's gonna break a few bones and give himself a concussion but hey, he's immortal, so it's ok! Merlin walking outside and glancing behind his back every 3 seconds when someone looks like has been walking behind him for a bit too much of a time. Merlin having a tons of locks on his front door. Because you never know. Merlin talking with people and that voice in his head screaming at him "don't form connections with them, don't you dare become attached to them, because that's how it starts. You make small conversations with people, then you become friends, and the next thing you know they find out about your magic and they try to kill you or they just die because they're mortal." (definitely not from experience, nuh-uh). Merlin having weapons somewhere hidden in his house just in case he's in danger and his magic doesn't work for whatever reason. A minor inconvenience happening and Merlin just going "fuck. Oh well, let me just- *throws himself from the top of a building*. Merlin finding out he's neurodivergent. He doesn't really have to mask anymore, he hasn't been doing that for a while because he's all alone so no one will care and also because nowadays no one gives a shit. Him being neurodivergent explains so much (personally I'm an ADHD Merlin truther lol). Merlin having abandonment issues, which is also another reason why he refuses to connect with people. Because hey, better to be never loved than be loved and lose it, right? Merlin considering himself something more than human. Not in the "haha, I'm more powerful than everyone else, lmao" way, but in the "I have all this power in my hands yet the world is still shit, I'm a failure, why couldn't I be like everyone else?" way. All these stuff don't even have to revolve around Arthur or Camelot, it can be just the brain trying to comprehend 15 centuries worth of trauma.

[gabstriessomethingnew]

I see you all with your immortal Leon’s, old grumpy grandpa Leon or well adjusted Leon. I see the vision and I appreciate you. But I am here to raise you Girl Dad Leon.

Merlin takes in magical wards throughout the years and when the gang (all of the round table not just Arthur pls give it to me) comes back, it just happens to be right after Merlin had taken in 3 little girls.

And Leon, Leon goes full girl dad. Yes he supports all their interests (Adeline is very into bugs, Lena loves comics, and Heather adores space and dinosaurs) but his favorite are the over top girly stuff. We’re talking wearing a fluffy pink bathrobe, glitter somehow always in his beard, tea cups on standby in pockets just in case of impromptu tea parties.

The gang is utterly puzzled by this turn of the first knight.

Arthur standing in the kitchen staring, just staring at this man: soooooo. You’re happy like this?

Leon who just received a full ‘makeover’ purple eyeshadow and pink lipstick smeared across his face, cheeks red with blush, taking a sip of coffee since all this happened before breakfast, knowing he will not be washing a spec of it off until dinner: Yep!

Gwen walking into a dress up party remembering just how much complaining Leon did when she forced him to wear a dress for all of two hours to get him out of Morganas custody: erm?

Leon holding out a wand with a star at the tip and sparkly strands flowing down the sides, wearing a huge tutu: wanna play fairies?

Gwaine walking into the living room only to find all three girls screaming and dancing to who runs the world (girls): ***eyebrow raise***

Leon singing into a ladle: who runs this mother trucker!

(He joins them after a minute of just processing the fact that the first knight used to yell at him for so much as humming during training)

Lancelot just trying to make it to the backyard to practice with his sword cause he’s feeling a bit rusty being handed a Barbie instead: ????

Leon forcing him into their little circle: gives full detailed back story the girls had created about the evil king torturing the poor girls

Lancelot: alright then. ***start playing with them***

Merlin sees nothing wrong with this. The only confusion coming from the others being confused.

I need it!!!

[akelafang]

Arthur: I have to admit, Gwaine is not the kind of person I would have expected you to fall for Leon Gwaine: I must have grown on him Leon: Like a fungus Gwaine: What can I say, I'm a fun-guy Leon: *snorts* Arthur:...I somehow understand this relationship even less

[irishmammonagenda]

"Solomon?" You ask, eyes unblinking like a lizard as you stare at your favourite Rat Bastard. "You know how you're immortal?"

Solomon turns to you in mock shock, "Really? Why I never wouldve guessed."

You deadpan. "It was a serious question."

Solomon smirks his usual evil smirk, which to anyone else observing would look like a pleasant smile. "Yes, and what about me being immortal, MC?"

"Well, did you ever know Merlin?" You tilt your head as Solomon's smile falters for a split second before he fixes it.

"..."

"Solomon?"

"Yes, I knew Merlin."

"Before or after you became a Rat Bastard?" You ask him, eyes trained on his pretty smile. (evil grin)

"Well...I may or may not've been good friends with him..."

"Do you think I could meet him?" You ask, bouncing one of your legs after you sit down on Solomon's workbench.

Solomon moves towards you, something flashing in his eyes for a split second before his hands find their rightful place around your waist. "No."

"Why not?" You pout.

"Because I'm the only famous sorcerer in your life." He states, that something flashing in his eyes once more. Something animalistic. If Solomon was a demon, you were sure his demon form would sprout out.

"What about Maddi?" You raise an eyebrow.

Solomon scoffs. "You hate Maddi. You put on a mask with Michael's face on it, and then tried to drown her in a ditch."

You shrug. "I'm just mad the bitch didn't drown."

"She did damage her oesophagos though." Solomon smiles evilly, actually evilly this time.

"So why can't I meet Merlin. I want his autograph." You bring th conversation back to the topic at hand, your flustered gaze trained to where the Great Sorcerer holds you by the waist possessively.

Solomon scoffs once more, grey eyes narrowed in on you. "And why do you want his autograph?"

"Because he's the greatest sorcerer to ever live? Duh."

Solomon's grip tightens at that. His brows furrow.

"...No he's not." The silver-haired sorcerer replies after an awkward moment of silence.

"Yes he is."

"No he's not." Solomon glares at you, grip tightening once more, it's almost painful. "I can give you my autograph if you yearn for one that badly. End of."

"But-" You pout, eyes flickering with the flame of mischief, wanting to see how far you can take this.

Solomon's eyes snap up and down your body before meeting your gaze, forcefully he moves closer to you, you lean back until he's directly in your face and your back is up against the surface of his workbench.

You feel his hot breath on your ear as he whispers, "The next words out of your mouth better be 'I love you Solomon!' or I'm not hearing them."

Your breath hitches, you suppress a grin, "It's just that-"

"Not hearing it."

"Emrys is just so cool-"

Solomon flicks you on the head for that one. He moves away from your ear so he can look at your face. Grey eyes instinctual and crazed.

"My darling apprentice....you don't want to know where this is headed." The Witty Sorcerer grits out, emphasising the word 'my' like it's an ancient incantation.

You stiffen, you've really done it now. There was no way you could keep teasing your favourite Michelin Star Murderer and come out unscathed.

A dark purple surrounds the sorcerer, are those flames?!

You pout, looking into the crazed feral eyes man who's about to lose control. You'd have to stop being a gremlin and take responsibility.

"Sol...I love you." You say, and you mean it.

And like clockwork, rhe dark purple flamey aura disappears, Solomon's grip loosens on you, he moves a little farther back, allowing you to get up off the surface of the workbench. His usual Rat Bastard smile returns, and the crazy feral look in his eyes diminish, never fully going away.

You raise an eyebrow teasingly, "So that's a no on meeting Merlin?"

Solomon sighs exasperatedly, love ever-present in his expression, "Forget Thirteen, you'll be the death of me."

You laugh, "Back to your Alchemy lesson now?"

Solomon chuckles. "Back to my Alchemy lesson." He nods, taking his hands off of you and walking over to his cauldron.

You follow him like a lost puppy, unaware of the extent of the danger just a few moments ago. Not danger you were in, of course, like Solomon could ever hurt you. But the rest of the realms?....well that's a different story....

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Never wake a sleeping dragon....

Never underestimate the obsession love that Solomon the Wise has for his Darling Apprentice.

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

I’m back on my demi/ace Arthur shit so here’s some things that have been floating around in my head for a few days

Arthur only ever wore shirts to bed while he was under love spells and after he got married.

He’s a hopeless romantic but actively avoids anyone who’s interested in him because, y’know, expectations suck.

He walked around shirtless or pantsless or completely naked while bathing or just while he was in his chambers multiple times when it was only him and Merlin, or whenever there was no expectation for it to mean anything else.

He only started liking Gwen when he got to know her more and when she started acting like a person more than a servant around him. The Ealdor episode springs to mind, then that episode where he faked his identity in a tournament. I’m sure there’s others, but I can’t remember them right now.

Anytime he acts sexually, flirting or anything along those lines, with anyone he’s not familiar with it’s always performative. When he met Merlin the whole time he was watched by the never seen again noble sons he was hanging out with. (I’ll speculate who they were again another day, that’s not the point)

He’s got no issues with proximity, clearly with how he acts around the knights with their affection, but as soon as the context changes he gets flustered and awkward.

Anyway. Do whatever you want with that information.

[gemgdynamxght]

i’ve never posted anything, ever. but i have a headcanon so…

OKAY this might have already been written in the vestiges and nooks of the never-dying, long-suffering BBC’s Merlin fandom. And it has definitely been thought but

Arthur heals a lot faster than others - whether it’s from sickness or minor wounds and injuries. Merlin canonically SUCKS at healing spells but tries to do what he can when he sees Arthur wounded and he’s like helping him change and stuff or putting gauze on it.

Also im a strong believer in the fact that Merlin is Emrys and has an insane, unlimited supply of magic so he could definitely learn healing spells. I’d think at some point he’d start learning them to heal Arthur faster but in a way that it wasn’t suspicious, not like “oh i had a massive scar cut into my arm and now it’s suddenly gone” but more like “huh that healed quicker than i thought it would”

Also I’d like to think Leon notices that Arthur heals quicker but doesn’t comment on it.

[kissme-withyour-cherrylipstick]

New headcanon: Lancelot gave Merlin the purple shirt because when he became a knight he could afford nice things and thought Merlin should have something nice too.