#Merlin and Mordred friendship

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Merlin and Mordred’s friendship is just grumpy older brother and peppy kid the older brother found one day and decided to adopt. Merlin may hate him, but if anyone else does, they’re done. Like cancelling life subscriptions or forcefully expediting character development, or both depending on the situation. Anyway. Merlin is an older brother/caretaker figure to Mordred and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

—

Merlin, staring at a camera like in The Office: I can bully him relentlessly but if anyone else even thinks about him funny, imma end their entire bloodline.

Mordred: I know Emrys says he hates me. Did you know he created a more potent medicine when I got sick? He said it was because it’d taste worse, but he added honey so it wasn’t too bad. It was actually nicer than Gaius’. I should get him something to say thank you.

—in the woods or something—

Mordred: Emrys! I found this flower!

Merlin: *snorts* okay?

Mordred: oh… I’ll just… *goes to take it back while looking sad*

Merlin: Piss off. It’s mine now. *magics it so it won’t die and keeps it on his desk*

Mordred: :D

—Interviews—

Merlin: He’s stupid. Also this flower is my favourite kind. That’s why I’m keeping it. Not for Mordred. My brother- nemesis is so stupid.

Mordred: Do you think he liked the flower? I couldn’t find any of his favourites but it was in the same family. … he said it was his favourite? … *smiles*

[adhd-merlin]

I think if Lancelot and Mordred had met in S5 they might have gone on pretty well actually. Also I'm sure if Lancelot had known about those times Merlin was fully prepared to sit back and let Mordred die he would have been like "hey Merlin :) what the fuck?" and I really wish we had got to see both of these things happen

[mytragedyperson]

Wait help. So a while back I read merlin fanfic in ao3. It was part of a series and was the second part and it focused on mordred and Merlins friendship, and at some point, during knights training, they play some sort of capture the flag type game and tell mordred, since he's the newest Knight he can pick his team. So he picks merlin and all the knights are kinda questioning and low key making fun of this choice and then merlin and mordred absolutely whip the floor of them. It was multi-chapter fic I belive and this was around chapter 3 I believe. If anyone has even a vague idea of what this fic could be please help. It wasn't finished last time I read it and, last time I tried to find it, I couldn't. So please help.

[verityblack]

I NEED EVERYONE TO GO APPRECIATE THIS SERIES IMMEDIATELY I JUST FINISHED IT AND OH MY GODS ITS SO GOOD, THE MORDRED AND MERLIN FRIENDSHIPS, THE HURT COMFORT, THE FLUFFY JOY, THE SHENANIGANS, THE EVERYTHING - GO GO READ IT RIGHT NOW

[oswinsdolma]

happy valentines to the deleted scene in arthur's bane when merlin and arthur argue about which side of the "bed" they sleep on.

[insanity-laughs-under-pressure]

I had an amazing idea for a Merlin season 6!

So basically, Merlin is sat by Avalon one day and as a last ditch attempt to get Arthur back he does some crazy magic shit where his eyes go full on golden.

Then the squad starts to materialise from the lake. So obviously Merlin runs into the lake to say hi to Gwen, Leon, Lancelot, Gwaine and the rest of the gang.

The last person to appear in the lake is Arthur, so whilst everyone else is catching up Merlin spots Arthur and Arthur spots Merlin (they each whisper each others name when they see each other because that shit makes me smile).

Arthur then stumbles towards Merlin as fast as he can, and then he basically lifts Merlin into a hug, shouting about how proud he is that Merlin finally managed to get them back.

Merlin is just a puddle of joy at this point, in fact he's so happy to see Arthur he kisses him (it's very romantic, it's a bit like that moment in 'Mama Mia here we go again' where Sophie sees Scott again (I think that's their names)).

The squad starts cheering in the background. Gwaine whistles. Leon starts clapping, whilst shouting finally. Gwen turns to Elyan and goes "I told you so". Lancelot and Percival look on proudly and join Leon in clapping.

SO. Now Merlin is showing everyone the way back to camelot - which Merlin now uses for events and stuff because he got bored - and Arthur is one of the only ones who actually has a grasp on modern day. This is because he has had to watch Merlin over the last 1500 years. (yes Arthur has had to wait for Merlin too, it's better that way).

Anyway some stuff happens. BUT. The main problem they need to fix is that magic is dying.

Now. This is where it gets interesting. The knights of the round table + Gwen, all have to try and help Merlin figure out how to fix magic.

Whilst on this quest they run into Morgana and Mordred. Merlin instantly tries to kill Mordred (because you know I'm assuming his hatred towards him has x5 since he killed Arthur).

After a long conversation and a lot of threats from both parties they all decide to forget the past because fixing magic is more important.

PLOT TWIST!

Leon pulls Arthur aside one day to ask Arthur if he's feeling ok. Arthur being Arthur just says everything is fine. HOWEVER, the wonderful sir Leon knows that he's not and asks Arthur if he's worried about the whole "magic dying thing" so Arthurs like "well I'd prefer it if there wasn't a chance of Merlin dying" *reluctantly cries a manly tear*.

Leon is then like "there, there sire". And bam this is where the plot twist comes in. We know that after s2 ep8 Leon knows that Arthur was born of magic. This means that Leon knows that it won't just be Merlin possibly dying but Arthur too.

Arthur tells Leon that he doesn't want to tell Merlin because after last time he's worried about how it would effect Merlin.

In the end love comes out on top (quite literally in this case *laughs in gay*) and Arthur and Merlin get revived together and they all live happily ever after.

[errant-knight17]

I would have liked to see more of Mordred and Gwaine’s relationship, since they seemed very close. I’m one to think that Gwaine would have taken Mordred under his wing (to the surprise of the other knights) and would have become like an older brother/father figure to Mordred.

Protecting him and his magic. I’m basing this off of the fact that when Mordred was asking Arthur to spare Kara and his lives, Gwaine was the first knight he turned to, basically begging Gwaine for help, and out of all of them, Gwaine looked the most conflicted. Both look betrayed by the other. I think Gwaine would have felt responsible for not helping Mordred, and it haunted his mind somewhat, thinking back with regret.

Maybe that’s part of the reason he’d have gone after Morgana, wanting to take revenge on her for what she did to Camelot and the people, and also for guiding Mordred to the wrong path.

[booksandpaperss]

the fact that Arthur is canonically fully aware of how people keep betraying him and still incredibly trusting at the same time really fucks me up. do you think he ever wonders if it’s his fault entirely? if he’s just inherently not worth any sort of loyalty from those he loves, even though arthur loves so deeply. he loved Morgana so much and when she betrayed him he still loved her, despite Morgana’s betrayal he trusted Agravaine even when he had reason to suspect he shouldn’t because Arthur loved Agravaine too and above all else Arthur is loyal to those he loves. Arthur loved Mordred, and in the end it was that love that made Arthur hesitate to fight Mordred, that love is what killed him. Arthur loved Gwen and even she betrayed him, it wasn’t her choice and Arthur knew it but I’m sure he still felt the sting of another betrayal when he first found out. a slight seed of doubt was probably planted that day.

Arthur loved and trusted Merlin. no matter how many times Arthur was betrayed he never once, in their entire decade of friendship, even conceived the idea that Merlin would betray him. that idea was so utterly off the table for Arthur that in that one episode he was poisoned, as soon as he found out Merlin got blamed for it Arthur actually thought it was funny and had Merlin released immediately with absolutely zero doubt in his mind. Merlin knew Arthur trusted him this way and Arthur knew Merlin knew…

and yet when Arthur found out even Merlin had betrayed him in a way, despite all his other betrayals he still found it in himself so easily to understand Merlin, realize why Merlin had done it, realize that Merlin was the only one who had betrayed Arthur to help him instead of hurt him, and forgive and appreciate Merlin because above all else, Arthur is loyal to those he loves (and there’s perhaps no one Arthur loves more than Merlin).

Arthur loves and loves and loves, but from his perspective that love consistently was never enough. not for his father, not for Morgana, not for Agravaine, not for Mordred…

But it was enough for Merlin. It was more than enough for Merlin. Merlin’s betrayal was because he loved Arthur, not in spite of it, and Arthur was able to recognize that in his last moments.

Arthur loves and trusts to his own detriment, but Merlin was probably one of the first people to show Arthur that his love meant something beyond the superficial “I love you too”, that Arthur’s love was worth something, that Arthur was worth something.

[camelotsheart]

sometimes i remember how arthur notices merlin saying "your journey" instead of "our journey", how merlin could find arthur through all of the time and space he had to sift through in the crystals of the crystal cave when trying to send a telepathic message to arthur in the finale, how arthur jokingly asks merlin to be with him in the next life, how they both knew deep down that arthur was not going to survive mordred's blade but they had to keep trying because that's all they could really do, because merlin could not live with himself if he gave up on arthur and arthur could not deny merlin the chance, he would rather risk spending his last days with merlin trying to relearn his best friend on a mission that was bound to fail than take his last breath in the kingdom he defined as his life since he understood the meaning of duty. its about the devotion present in a friendship that developed despite being separated by station and lies that were necessary

[arthurpendragonssassydaggers]

Arthur and Mordred friendship is very underutilized in fics. I’m not surprised half the fandom hates him for killing Arthur and the other half want to see Merlin and morderd have a good relationship but still. Their few episodes of friendship were adorable and it makes me sad people don’t write it into fics.

[nimrism]

i still can't believe merlin chose to reveal he had magic to the most random person on the planet who he had only known for a day (gilli in "the sorcerer's shadow") but NOT to morgana when she needed it most... by the time morgana figured out she had magic, her and merlin's friendship was already at a point where he could trust her with something like this, and he had already seen her stance on magic through the way she risked everything for mordred (a DRUID, aka a magical being). hell, she straight up said "what if [magic] chooses you?" to his FACE. he really had nothing to lose and morgana had everything to gain by him telling her he had magic too, and being there for her when she needed it. but nOoOoo merlin just HAD to listen to the overgrown basement gecko and keep it a secret. which i wouldn't really mind had he not gone and revealed that very same secret to a perfect stranger a season later. it just makes no sense whatsoever that he'd keep his magic a secret from morgana and refrain from helping her then turn around and show GILLI of all people that he had magic.

[springs-hurts]

I think Lancelot would be the only knight to immediately protect Merlin when his magic was revealed if he was around in s5. Gwaine and Merlin friendship seems strained he seems to hate magic and all the other knights also hunt magic users with no problem

Yepp, I wholeheartedly agree, Lancelot would either go all out, or he'd try to make them see reason...depends on which way it'd go(or which way it'd have gone, only if writers were brave enough, but damn! I can just imagine Arthur, his wife loves this man, his best friend told him his biggest secret, uh uhh, Lancelot bro, I'd run!)

But others, in Disir episode, Percival was making fun of all the hangings, and people write him as sympathetic, same goes for elyan...

So two people who'd support Merlin are Lancelot (if he didn't die) and Mordred, both would hesitate to draw their weapon, of that I have no doubt. But they'd support Merlin.

[emrys-merlin]

Maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I think the argument that Merlin could have turned Morgana away from evil a) overexaggerates their friendship, and b) underestimates the appeal and manipulative abilities of Morgause. Merlin would have helped her in the short run, but eventually, Morgause would have come into the picture, said and did the right things to manipulate a vulnerable Morgana. Merlin telling her wouldn't have done any good. Morgana would still have remained resentful and angry at Uther's cruelty, ultimately leading to her turning against him by seeking out HER SISTER. Merlin didn't want to kill Uther (for Arthur), unlike Morgause AND Morgana.

Morgana was already isolated and raging against Uther in the pilot. Uther is Uther, Arthur at this stage is almost Uther 2.0, and Morgana stands alone and (she believes) without family. By the time Merlin arrives she's already bitter and angry, albeit justifiably so.

Morgana is drawn into her fate with an inevitability that only the dragon predicts. Her instantaneous connections with both Mordred and Morgause are strong evidence that the forces of destiny are working basically /within/ her. Merlin, on the other hand, is separated from her by status and by the proprieties of gender. Even if he did confide in her, I don't think that would have tempered the radicalising effect of what she saw Mordred suffer through, and the kindred spirit/mentor/family she found in Morgause. Not to mention the fact that the first time she leaves with Morgause after being poisoned by Merlin, she doesn't even go of her own free will - she was genuinely clueless that she was the one putting everyone to sleep so that an invasion could be carried out.  Merlin's persuasive abilities had nothing to do with that situation, and those events are the ones where Morgana is truly removed from Camelot and fully radicalised into the personality transformation that we see between the end of season 2/beginning of season 3. There was very little that Merlin could have hoped to have done to remedy it. By S3, Morgana is a lost cause. 

Additionally, Morgana finding out she's Uther's biological daughter was what really pushed her over the edge. I think she would have felt betrayed by that revelation whether Morgause or Merlin were there for her. At that point, she wanted what was rightfully hers. If she had turned to Merlin for help with it, he would not have told her what she wanted to hear, which was try to claim the throne or have Camelot know she was a Pendragon too.

Merlin would never have chosen Morgana over Arthur. And Morgana would never have chosen Merlin over Morgause/the throne.

Telling Morgana would have been a colossally stupid mistake. It can work in the world of fanfiction, where we soften character personalities to better enable development or alternate timelines, but in the continuity of the show and her character, she was always going to end up walking down that path.

Also, Merlin doesn't owe anyone telling a secret about himself that could get him killed - except possibly Arthur. But that's a rant for another time.

[mytragedyperson]

 Chapters: 18/18 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Merlin & Mordred (Merlin), Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Knights of the Round Table & Merlin (Merlin) Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Mordred (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Elyan (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin) Additional Tags: Friendship, Humor, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Mordred gets his wish, and some days wishes he didn't, but he is an adorable bean, Merlin is a Little Shit, that doesn't seem to realize Emrys is supposed to be dignified and refined, and not tease poor innocent druid friends, Mordred informs him, Merlin refuses to learn, the knights are along for the ride, Arthur at one point was delusional enough to believe he actually had any control over the situation, Not Anymore, That point has long since passed Series: Part 2 of The Beginning of the (Fri)end Summary:

Merlin had thought he didn’t know what he was getting into when he cleared the air and agreed to stop hating Mordred, but it turned out the knight, not the warlock, was the one who was completely unprepared for what it would mean to be considered Merlin’s friend.

Behold the fic I was talking about before for anyone who wants some Mordred and Merlin friendship, a little angst, and someone bluntly telling Arthur he needs to appreciate Merlin more. My personal favourite chapters are chapter 6: Galavant Rides, Chapter 11: Dwarves vs Giants, and chapter 17: No one but you. But this entire fic is just really nice to read, like I don’t really have comfort fics but I feel like this would be one, because even when there’s angst, it’s usually resolved quickly and the rest is just Merlin appreciation and the others learning how badass Merlin can be. Also magic reveal last chapter. This is a Merlin fic after all. 

@nefertitiasakura

[inalandofsadclowns]

1x10 Morgana said she was indebted to Merlin for helping her save Mordred, which is why she joined him to Ealdor (other than for friendship, of course).

Merlin: But y-y- you can't. I mean, why would you?

Gwen: If it was the other way around, you'd help us. You already have. You saved my life.

Merlin: And you helped me get the druid boy out of Camelot. We owe it to you. Both of us.

She also thanked Merlin for helping her in 1x08.

Morgana: I will not let him die. Can I count on your help?

[Merlin nods.]

Morgana: Thank you.

I find this interesting, because the story began the other way around: with Merlin saving Mordred by asking Morgana for help. Merlin was the one initiating the rescue and Morgana was the one helping. But then Morgana recognized a kindred soul in Mordred, someone sharing her struggles, and started percieving Mordred as her responsibility first. As far as she knew, only empathy bonded Merlin with the little druid, while she was bonded with him by a shared fate.

[oswinsdolma]

the bbc merlin writers actually went so hard when they decided "actually no, magic isn't some grotesque perversion of the natural order, it is nature itself" because like. it would have been so easy to write merlin's internal conflict as one between the inherent evil of magic and the good of humanity, to put arthur in the right for his persecution and to turn merlin into some kind of doomed hero within himself, but no. because in the end, magic had very little to do with anything, it was just something that was there. morgana didn't turn evil because she was magic, she did because she was scared and angry and manipulated. merlin doesn't wait for arthur because of the promise of a golden age, at least not really; he does it because he loves arthur and wants him back. in the disiir episode, if it had only ever been about restoring magic to camelot, merlin should have sacrificed arthur in a heartbeat for the promise of magic's legalisation. hell, even mordred didn't kill arthur because of his views on magic, he did so because arthur took away the person he loved. like yeah it's a fantasy show and magic is a massive part of that world, but in the end it was a story about people, and all the hopes and dreams within it are deeply and tragically human, and that's what makes it a good story, what keeps us going apeshit over it even ten years after it ended. in a way, there are two shows in the same way there are two merlins: one about magic, "emrys" and the other about friendship, and like merlin, the audience has to choose which one we should care about most. and every time, we make the same choice as he did: we, however foolishly, choose humanity. we sob at the tragic trajectory and scream as we see destiny gathering traction, but isn't that the point of tragedy?? if we followed logic over emotion, tragedy would never take place, but equally, if we followed logic over emotion, the idea of tragedy itself would become lost to obselescebce. the whole point of the show is to tell us that "no, we can't define things as one or the other, because anything with meaning exists as something more complex, because to give something meaning is to perceive it with a human gaze". magic may be a force of nature, but good and evil are ideas perpetuated by our innate, incurable humanity, and it is here we have a choice. we can't choose our destinies but we can choose from which direction to embrace it, and that's a surprisingly radical, beautiful thing.