#Magic reveal

[thatonedudeinthecorner]

Happy pride month to these two specifically I can’t believe that Merthur is real

[giacarem]

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

[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

[theroundbartable]

I sort of want a fanfic in which Merlin keeps his magic secret, never planning to ever reveal it.

Morgana is court sorceress, magic is legal, the golden age is thriving...

Sometimes Arthur will come to him and ask him to research some magical things and Merlin gives him all the information he needs, except that he's the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Arthur will complain to him about Morgana, question whether his decision to lift the ban was right, and Merlin supports it all.

The druids, no longer living in fear, still pay him respect, but they no longer talk to him. Because he's still Arthur's protector and it's good that no one knows.

"I kept lying to you." Merlin thinks as he watches Arthur sign yet another law for magic users. "So now, I don't deserve to live my truth."

And it is only after this that Merlin's magic is finally revealed.

[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:🫨…😐

[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.

[alcafrach]

I think all things I draw with them are from magic-is-revealed-much-earlier AU, 'cause I love the idea that Arthur (after being devastated and downcasted) is intrigued by all that magical stuff and is producing like DOZENS of questions every time he and Merlin are alone and no one can hear the conversation

Arthur: *sleepy* Merlin, you know, this... magical thing of yours...

Merlin: *immediate stress* Y-yes?

Arthur: It's kinda beautiful. Can you light a fire with your powers?

Merlin: Yes, I can

Arthur: And what about water? Can you, I don't know, fill a bucket with water without any source of water nearby? Or heat water? Can you summon the rain?

Merlin: ...

Merlin: Well, I'm not really sure about the rain, but have you ever noticed that your bath is hot much longer than it should be? *a bit bold and grinning*

Arthur: oh. OH.

(I'm that kind of authors on Tumblr who lurks somewhere in the void for months and then suddenly finds a new fixation and stats posting 1246084 drawings a day XD)

[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?

[whamber]

Merwaine fest day three: magic reveal + bamf!merlin or bamf!gwaine

i love to draw magic fx that the bbc couldn't afford

[knightswaypoint]

Day 2: Royal Library

Court Sorcerer Merlin, post magic reveal, working to restore all the remaining magic knowledge and books to the royal library.

[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

[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.

[theroundbartable]

Imagine Arthur and Merlin end up in another kingdom for a peace treaty and their king demands that Arthur prove his convictions on magic.

After all, they didn't want to aid a hesitant king.

So, they put a sorceress to the pyre, claiming she'd used magic.

It's the first time during Arthur's reign that something like this happens and Arthur hardens his expression. Especially when Agravaine reminds him what he's meant to do it for. Arthur's seen through these before, so he tries to endure it.

Merlin, however, can't watch this. Not when Arthur is king. Not straight up burning her at the pyre, so he moves to stand between the pyre and the foreign king. : I'm begging you, let her go!

King: "you let this servant speak up against you like that?!"

Arthur: "I apologize, he can be a bit thick in the head and he has a heart for druids. Merlin, please-"

Merlin: *growls* "I'm not speaking up against Arthur, I'm speaking out to YOU! You have to stop this! She's innocent!

King: *laughs*. Boy, you have no authority here! This woman is one of my citizen! I can do with her as I please!

Merlin: *snaps* The druids are nomads. They live in the forests, not your kingdoms.

King: the forests are part of my kingdom! If the druids want an advocate for their rights, Show me THEIR king.

Merlin: *freezes* wait, what did you say?

Arthur: Merlin, come back here, only the king of the druids may speak up for this woman -

Merlin: *gasps*. Hold on. You mean, Emrys has authority as king? He's a sovereign?

Arthur: yes, Merlin. Of course he is. Although he's a legend, he's technically royalty.

Merlin: *groans* seriously? Why on earth does no one ever fucking tell me these things?! *Takes deep breath* well then, I guess I have no choice.

Arthur: good, now-

Merlin: I'm no longer asking. I demand you let her go.

King: excuse you?!

Merlin: *eyes blazing with magic* Let. Her. Go.

[penneinwonderland]

Headcanon- Arthur abuses his sneakiness. He was trained from birth how to hunt and fight, he definitely knows how to subtly shadow someone without them knowing. Merlin never realizes that he’s being watched. At first Arthur does it to spy on Merlin cause he’s so cute when he is focused in the kitchen Gwen ahem anyway but slowly he notices the small amounts of magic Merlin uses. He’s alarmed and angry but he pays attention. It’s creating lavender and other herbs to place in his bath, manipulating the wind to air out his bedroom, lighting the thousands of candles in the great hall when no one else is in there. Arthur doesn’t tell Merlin and when Merlin confesses all Arthur does is kiss him and whispers “I know”