#Sir Mordred imagines

[where-dreamers-go]

“Soft Smiles” Sir Mordred x Reader

(A/N: Requested. First go at a Sir Mordred insert reader. It’s kind of short. Got to turn off the parts of my brain that say, “ATTACK!” You know, for fanfiction reasons. But if I did that with Kylo, I can do it here. Plus Mordred was actually nice… Don’t tell Merlin, please. Warnings: None. Fluff? Word Count: 416 words)

Busy mornings were nothing new. The halls of Camelot’s castle were alive with activity. A community interlocked and weaving together.

Carrying a basket of freshly cut flowers, you strolled through a familiar hall. Your task was to replace the wilted flowers throughout the castle.

“Good morning.” A voice spoke close beside you.

“Oh. It’s you,” you sighed. “Hello, Sir Mordred.”

Mordred greeted you with a bright smile and blue eyes alight. “Would you like me to carry those for you?” He peered down at the flowers.

“No, I have it.” You assured him. “Thank you for asking.”

“I am happy to help. My services are not limited to swords and shields.”

“I know.” A smirk curved your lips for a moment.

Knowledge of the young man you should not have played in your mind. Magic. Wonderfully helpful, but a secret to be kept at all costs.

From the corner of your eye, you saw the worry flash across his features.

“If the secret of your flower arranging got out….I don’t know what I’d do.” You sent him a playful pout.

Sir Mordred’s worry washed away. A smile on his face again as he said, “Perhaps you could tell jokes at celebrations and festivities.”

“Oh, they wouldn’t be able to catch my humor.”

“Why not?”

“Because it would go over their heads.”

A healthy, hearty laugh erupted from the knight. Laugh lines pulling his face into a joyous beaming sight.

If you had to paint something to represent joy, freedom, and light, it would be of Sir Mordred’s smiling face. A smile of pure joy, eyes of unfiltered light, and a face of unrestricted freedom.

Plucking a single flower out of the weighty basket, you carefully placed it a top of Mordred’s head. The petals sat softly on his dark hair, a stark contrast of color.

Boots came to a stop and you did the same.

Eyes as big as saucers peered above. Though he could not see the flower, he could feel it all the same.

You sighed, “I adore you.”

Again, his blue eyes were wide. A soft wonder in them as he remained silent.

“It’s true,” you said.

Gazes met, so soft and vulnerable, it was difficult to know the appropriate words to share. Were more words even necessary?

“Can you help me set the first vase?” You asked, lifting up the basket.

“I can.” Mordred nodded and gestured for you to lead the way.

“Thank you.”

“No,” he said quietly. “Thank you.”

~~~

(If you love my writings and want to support me, I have a Ko-Fi where you can buy me a coffee. I would be eternally grateful. coffee

Best wishes and happy reading.)

~~~~~

DreamerDragon Tags: @cubedtriangle

BBC Merlin Tags: @wesleeporstudy @pilindielofgondor @nervousfandom @13flamingroses @arthurianlegends21 @rainbows-r-nice05 

**Let me know if you would like to be tagged in insert readers, either through replies, ask, or message.**

[tongjaitongjai]

Merlin: I have been building Mordred’s trust for months with high-fives. Today I’m going to hit him with a ‘too slow’.

Merlin: Welcome to the real world, son.

Mordred, crying after being humiliated in front of all knights in Camelot by the too slow high-five: EMRYS CALLED ME SON. THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.

[xviruserrorx]

- Devil's Spoke by Laura Marling | For Day 3 of @merlinrarepairfest

[taliesin-the-bored]

At this point, my categorized Arthurian theme song list has spiraled entirely beyond reasonable proportions. If it’s taught me anything, it’s that at least two thirds of Imagine Dragons’ songs seem like they could be about Mordred.

[beheadinggame]

He wasn’t part of the passage the other Orkney brothers were in but I didn’t want to leave out the youngest son of Lot, so here’s my Mordred

[men-in-knights]

[deathless--aphrodite]

Jaime + Brienne + unbidden

Jaime I, AFFC / Jenny Xie, Distance Sickness / George Cochran Lambdin, The Consecration / Brienne II, AFFC / Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Memory of One Day in a Kitchen / John Bauer, If someone else cries when you laugh then you will have your tears back / Jaime I, ADWD / Jack Gilbert, The Sixth Meditation: Faces of God / Anne-Louis Girodet, The Funeral of Atala / Brienne III, AFFC / Audre Lorde, Movement Song / Richard Bergh, Nordic summer’s evening / Jaime I, AFFC / Sally Rooney, Normal People / John Everett Millais, Huguenot lovers on St. Bartholomew’s Day / Brienne VIII, AFFC / Arundhati Roy, The End of Imagination / Gregory Hildebrandt, My Thanks To You / Jaime VI, ASOS / Frank Bidart, To The Dead / William Hatherall, The Battle Between King Arthur and Sir Mordred

[cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu]

The story of how Mordred called Merlin mom and then proceeded to call Arthur dad and now he's adopted into the family

Author: Me aka @dalazygamerneko

Inspired by @tongjaitongjai merthur idea, check out it out here: 🐓x🐦=🐣

♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤

It was ordinary day. Birds were singing, training went well and the maids were busy but happily chatting.

Nothing could go wrong Mordred thought as he made his way to the afternoon roundtable meeting when he came across Merlin or Emrys as he is known amongst druids, quickly he hid into an alcove and gazed in envy at Lord Emrys, no, Merlin smiling and holding a little boy in his arms.

It's moments like these that he wished he knew his mother longer but he could barely remember her. He watched quietly at the soft look in Merlin's eyes and utter joy upon the little boy's face as they hugged each other, Mordred wondered if his mother would've looked at him the same way Merlin did.

He sighed, leaning back against the stone walls Mordred couldn't help but want to revert back into being a child again just so Merlin wouldn't gaze coldly at him, albeit he probably deserved it for the words of hatred he said in his youth. He knew now Merlin never meant to lead those knights towards his camp. That the warlock was only trying to help Morgana.

"What can I do to earn your trust?"

Mordred shook his head, he'd think of something maybe ask one of the knights for help? He's noticed that Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwaine are closer to Merlin than the other knights.

'They're also the most protective of him' Mordred thought dryly, a crease upon his brow as multiple ideas popped into his mind and many he shot down knowing it won't work.

"Well, I'll just have to hope the triple Goddess guides me." Mordred mumbled, he looked out into the hallway, Merlin was gone, most likely doing chores for the King.

Mordred chuckled as he continued walking, he would never understand the relationship Emrys and the once and future King had with each other. There were times they seem like close comrades begrudging in their respect for one another and then other times they would argue fondly like any old married couple.

Not surprising when plenty of townsfolk as well as even the nobles have speculated in the past if Merlin was being courted by Prince Arthur, to any outsider it certainly looked that way therefore Merlin was given the "mistress" treatment.

Now everyone are wondering(more like waiting impatiently) when will the King announce his engagement to Merlin.

"If I remember correctly, doesn't Sir Gwaine have a bet going on?"

Mordred pondered. 'Yeah, I'll definitely join in. There's no way they're NOT together. I mean, I've seen the lingering stares they give each other as if there is no one around them.'

Soon he was at the doors leading to the roundtable meeting, nodding at the vigilant guards they let him through. His eyes slowly moved over the knights, nobles and some commoners before landing on Merlin who was standing behind the King's chair.

An unassuming figure, most often underestimated but to those who know magic deeply or follow the old religion, Emrys entire being is a vast ocean of wild magic swirling in such a magnitude that no mere mortal could ever understand or harness the power Emrys wields.

Then he locked eyes with Merlin, there is no icy stare thankfully, yet he can still see a hint of wariness in his Lord's gaze.

He bowed his head in acknowledgement before finding a seat next to the gossiping pair Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine.

"I could be at a tavern right now, drinking and charming the barmaid Stella instead I'm stuck here." Gwaine said with a miffed face, his hand gripping the air imagining he was holding a mug of ale.

Elyan who sat across from Gwaine raised an eyebrow, "Isn't Stella old enough to be your grandmother?"

Gwaine smirked whilst shrugging. "Just like wine the older one gets the finer they become, besides she has experience, I'm sure there's a thing or two she could still teach mmph—"

Leon had reached over to clamp Gwaine's mouth shut.

The ginger haired knight had just about enough of hearing Gwaine's tavern tales of debauchery to which he thought was an inappropriate topic to be discussed or heard at the roundtable meeting.

"Sir Gwaine, leave your nightly talks at the tavern only, please."

Gwaine pulled Leon's hand away and smiled cheekily at the older knight.

"Oh, but wouldn't you like to know? Stella has mentioned she likes ginger haired men with beards and I bet she could show you—"

"I am going to strangle you—"

Gwaine leaned back avoiding Leon's hands from trying to keep him quiet again.

"Sir Leon I never knew you were this kinky, I think dear old Stella would like to feel your big strong hands—ack!"

Leon finally got him, unfortunately the meeting was starting, so Gwaine was safe from being throttled by him. However, tomorrow morning during training he'll get his chance.

Mordred along with the rest of the knights chuckled at Sir Gwaine's antics and Sir Leon's annoyed expression.

♤To be continued♤

[gellavonhamster]

reading the post-vulgate, part 2 (the quest for the holy grail)

Lancelot describing Galahad as "strangely beautiful" makes me imagine Galahad was the kind of child who looks angelic but says the most cryptic shit

I love misinterpreting chapter titles on purpose

like, oh no, what happened, were they such bad guests?

Tristan's horse is called BASTARD

I gotta be honest, I'm just skimming some parts because they largely repeat the Grail Quest in the Vulgate, and I'm not interested in the Grail Quest enough to read it for the second time in a row

but at least this one has Palamedes. Everything is better with Palamedes

Calogrenant's death is fascinating - his body bleeds milk instead of blood, and from this milk some sort of medicinal/poisonous herbs grow

Guinevere wearing a crown of thorns in Lancelot's dream. Hmm.

“Whatever [Mordred] may be,” said Gawain, “he’s our brother, and we must love him, however much others hate him.” 💔💔💔

Agravaine tells Gawain that either Lancelot or Eric is fated to kill him, and Gawain immediately goes "oh, that certainly can't be Lancelot, he'd risk his life for me"... god

the story of the conception and family of Arthur the Less is some dark shit

Arthur and Morgan parted on worst possible terms and yet he asks her for information about his son and she actually provides it

you can always count on Palamedes for Pining and Yearning and Longing

"Galahad went off across the forest, glad to escape from Tristan’s company" relatable

love that Tristan and Palamedes are never, never normal about each other

"the More Than Good Knight" is such a funny title

very interesting that in this version Perceval's virtuous, self-sacrificial sister who takes part in the Grail quest also concocts a plan to have Gawain killed for the murder of her relatives

did NOT have King Mark trying to invade Logres on my bingo card for this

"When Kay heard this, he could not help saying, “Sir knight, I’m King Arthur’s man, and I’m so much his that I would be disloyal if I didn’t avenge him on all his enemies with all my strength. For love of him I say to you that you have no greater enemy in the world than I." 💔

"Lancelot’s luxurious lifestyle" is sending me

Palamedes <3

points were made!

Esclabor killing himself after the death of his son and ordering his squire to write the letters on his son's tombstone with his blood... insane insane insane

this must be the most incest-heavy version of Arthuriana I've read so far? Nothing prepared me for the origins of the Questing Beast

[fareehaandspaniards]

Associations post (Part 2)

(Part 1)

Yes, I went ahead with this one after all. While I was sincerely trying to find "my" Logarius among the sitters on old masterpieces of art, I came across other associations with Bloodborne characters. And most of them were Laurences, because I'm boring and call every cute young man with brown hair a young Laurence LOL

Sorry I will repeat some characters from post to post :( Hope it still will be interesting

BTW

Salvator Rosa, "Autoportrait" for Martyr Logarius before he turned into a bearded pthumerian skeleton.

There is a theory that boy on a painting in a Cainhurst is a King of Cainhurst/or Logarius himself. Good ground for headcanons! As for me, this boy is Rogeriusz's brother, because.... He is a brother of a King! :D Just ALL of his portraits were destroyed because of betrayal. But Rogeriusz and King were like twins! I still struggle with Logarius' backstory, because can't choose which trope for him I like more. I need to FeEl him properly

As for autoportrait, I know that artist has other autoportraits. This one is more idealistic suitable for Logarius. Tho my Rogeriusz is much more brutal and has something wild because he is a fucking ideological maniac and a madman. Just mix knight Mordred and Henry VIII and spirit of Russian revilution = sir Rogeriusz in my interpretation. Ludwig, you have AWFUL taste in men

Jean-François Garneray - "Portrait of Ambroise Louis Garneray" for little Laurence. Look at him, just LITERALLY THE WAY I IMAGINE HIM in childhood!!!!!! Kids awwwww Q_Q I still want to draw a few doodles with baby-characters... So sweet and funny in my head......

Look at that boy! ToT He is so happy *_*

Sandro Botticelli, autoportrait, part of "Adoration of the Magi" for Caryll!

I started drawing as a little child trying to copy and trace faces on his paintings! ;_; Also, his robes here have typical-greek patterns on them, I think those might have been the inspiration for all the patterns on the buildings in Yharnam >:3

"The Red Boy" by Thomas Lawrence for little Micolash!

Thoughtful, too clever for his young age boy for me fits perfectly for Micolash. I don't think he was born looking delusional lol, just his researches, mania for Kos and ascending changed him, though inside he was always like that (depends on interpretation!)

"Guidobaldo da Montefeltro" by Raphael for young Damian!!! In the right is Damian's model just with set "young" instead of "old" and eyebrows. They look like brothers !!!!

Part of painting by Jan Anthonisz van Ravesteyn "Pieter van Veen, his son Cornelis and his secretary Hendrick Borsman" for Tomb Prospector Olek!!!

Unexpected, hard to explain, but this is Olek :P His data supposes his hair to be brown but.... But.... Mine Olek is blonde.... D: The only compromise is that his hair is brown but on the light it looks like blonde! Profit!

My version of Olek is a child of streets, who eagerly wanted to learn how to read and write, and asked owner of a bookshop to teach him in exchange of protecting his little shop! Olek is a fan of pthumerian history and had a dream to once meet queen Annalise in-person before Cainhurst massacre happened. Also he has opened confrontation with Logarius who found Olek kinda funny. This all goes from the fact that Olek can be found in pthumerian chalices mostly (I don't remember if he is summonable in Loran chalices). I believe that he lost his sanity long ago and continues to travel through catacombs to find Queen Yharnam (he is summonable NPC for her fight)

[joemerl]

The Whumps of March 2024: "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." (Shakespeare, The Tempest)

A series of vignettes based on Arthurian legend, collected on AO3 here.

Almost as far back as he could remember, Mordred wanted to become a Knight of the Round Table.

He could he not, with all of his older brothers already in Camelot, lauded as some of the greatest champions in the kingdom? The rare times when they came home, he was regaled with stories of their adventures, and of the glories of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and the knight Lancelot, who was Gawain's best friend and Gareth's favorite mentor. Songs of their exploits were find their way to the Orkneys, each one whetting his appetite for adventure.

He spent long hours fantasizing about how it would happen. He would arrive dramatically, during a feast, and his uncle would be so pleased that he would knight him in front of everybody. Or maybe he would sneak in like Gareth, and surprise them all with his hidden mettle. In the end, it was nothing so spectacular—he was sent to the court as Agravaine's squire, and a few years later was knighted alongside several other boys for fighting against a petty rebellion. And he soon realized, sheepishly, that he was not the greatest swordsman or jouster at the court, and that it was hard to be seen as anything but the youngest in a familial set.

It didn't matter. He was now part of the Round Table, renowned as the most valiant and noble knights in Christendom.

It was, perhaps, less rarefied than he had imagined—some of his fellow knights were rude, or boring, or what have you. It was foolish, he supposed, to imagine that they wouldn't be, especially when he had four of them in his family. But he had his friends, Sagramore and Gingalain and Galahad, for a while. More to the point, he had his calling. Defending the needy, upholding the righteous. He would play whatever small part fate demanded in maintaining King Arthur's rule.

He didn't believe the story when he first heard it. The queen and Sir Lancelot? It sounded too much like gossip. A scandalous prospect, outlandish in how little it fit their sterling characters.

Then he saw Lancelot slip into her chambers.

And then Agravaine and eleven others, dead. Mordred himself left unconscious on the floor. Lancelot, the murderer whom he always admired, abandoning his mistress and fleeing like a coward.

"You knew, didn't you?"

Gawain winced, but he didn't answer, didn't even turn toward his brother. Just kept staring into the distance, just like he had since he first heard the news.

Mordred took his brother's shoulder and shook him, roughly. "DIDN'T YOU?!"

"Mordred—!" Sagramore grabbed his arm, but Mordred pulled away, snarling.

"Did you know, too?! That's what I'm hearing! Did everyone in Logres know, except the king and those of us who walked into a slaughter?!"

Everyone was staring at Mordred, but he didn't care. He felt dizzy all of a sudden. He still had a bandage wrapped around his head. The doctor had told him to stay calm, but there was little chance of that happening.

His eyes burning, Mordred pushed past Sagramore and stormed out of the room, leaving the Knights of the Round Table—the same noble heroes who had let this all happen—to gawk at his back.

[lil-llewellyn]

OOC quotes from Merlin fanfics, p2 (modern era chaos) :

"Nihilistic humour back in, you need to tell me how I died. I want to know what level of drama I have to live up to."

"Ignore the yelp. I fell," said Gwaine.

He sighed dramatically, said ‘I knew this would happen,’ pulled a half dead duck out of his coat, and gave it to the waiter.

"No, I don't feel any resentment. Got him killed, but whatever."

“Arthur Pendragon is God’s gift to mankind,” said Arthur with a manic smile.

"Sorry. I'm bitter." said Mordred with a neutral expression.

“We could always stab each other to find out?”

The majority of the 12th century was spent haunting a well in Scotland.

"To hell with Kilgharrah, to hell with destiny, to hell with all yall! Goodnight!" - "Merls it's like 3pm. We're all sitting here in the woods." - "GOODNIGHT"

If Merlin was saved under “smol angry kitten” in Leon’s phone for the better half of the semester, no one had to know that.

“Why not just come to my party! Better than a smoke!” said Gwaine. - “Ah fuck, why not? I don’t even smoke anyway. I’m Merlin.”

Leon became a back-up dancer for the Spice Girls. Merlin had never been so proud.

"You're an idiot, Merlin. Only you would send someone to an island resort as a punishment."

Apparently, Leon had become a cult leader whilst Merlin was courting his scientist? 

Arthur’s left at the mercy of his imagination, fuelled by 1300 years’ experience with Merlin’s bullshit. He starts mentally constructing their forcible departure from England in the name of evading arrest.

Merlin was long overdue some entertainment.

"I’d do it myself, but you know, I’d probably die and then you’d be arrested on the suspicion of murder and then we’d both be without crisps,” said Merlin simply.

"But please don’t get into an accident with forks and die, sir. I could lose my job!"

Merlin took one look at the man before running off to befriend polar bears in Svalbard for a century. Leon became court jester.

"Why do you wake up so early, man?" - "I don't??" - "But you're awake all the time?" - "Oh, I don't sleep :)"

[xviruserrorx]

Insp | For Day 6 of @merlinrarepairfest

[thebrokenroads]

The Archer and the Prey

Arthur knew immediately that something was wrong. 

Her touches were fleeting, soft brushes of her palm against his arm or chest. She hardly looked at him, either. Usually, they shared secret glances during their meetings and court events. She went to bed early, and she was asleep by the time he retired for the night. She let him hold her, but did not hold him back. 

When he fell asleep that night, his chest felt tight. The feeling usually went away when he saw the raven hair splayed across the pristine white sheets, but that was no longer the case. Still, exhausted from the day, he fell into a troubled sleep. 

His dreams were disjointed, twisted things like age old tree roots crawling over a trail in the forest. He saw flashes. Mordred coughing up blood, holding his own throat while the thick red substance trickled between his stumpy fingers. You failed me, he said. Morgan’s face, a face that once brought him such joy, morphed into a furious, angry expression before she struck a young Mordred across the face. Merlin’s disappointed, cold stare. Genny in a battlefield. Unarmed, wearing the pristine white dress she wore the night they wed. His legs won’t move, he can’t get to her. She screamed for him. Arthur. Arthur. 

“Arthur!” 

He sat up with a gasp, drenched in sweat. Genny hovered over him with a frightened look. “It’s all right,” she said, her tone comforting as if she was speaking to an upset child. He gently moved her aside so he could sit over the side of the bed, his legs over the edge. He caught his breath, his palm resting over his chest as he did so. 

The sheets rustled. He prepared and willed himself not to wince before she wrapped herself around him, arms wrapping around his neck from behind. She pressed a long kiss to the top of his damp hair, her breath hitching. “Arthur,” she said, and he heard the tears in her voice. 

“I’m okay,” he said, but even to his own ears, it sounded unconvincing and weak. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine,” he took one of her hands. He still couldn’t face her, not yet.

“Look at me, please,” she said. She spoke softly, cupping his jaw in effort to turn his head.

“No,” he said roughly, and it was perhaps the first time he said that word to her. His wife’s hand froze on his face. 

“Arthur,” she tried again, and she attempted to get into his lap so he would have to look at her. 

He stood instantly. “I’m going to take a walk,” he said, his voice a strangled noise he hardly recognized. 

“I’ll go with you,” she said, and Arthur imagined the way she scrambled to her feet.

The thought of her overwhelming presence as he tried to calm his racing heartbeat. 

“Stay here,” he barked, already halfway to the door. He slammed it so hard behind him that the wood paneling shook.  

It took ages to get outside. He purposefully asked that the Queen’s corridors be prepared towards the top of the castle, back then because it was the furthest he could place her when the prospect of marriage frightened him. Now, he simply felt grateful that it would take the intruders the longest to find her. 

Once he was outside, he gasped for air. He hunched over on his knees for a moment, attempting to fill his lungs with the fresh air. 

It was clean, not filled with the slightly lavender, floral scent of his wife. His wife. He loved her, god he loved her. He couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her. 

“Your majesty?”

Arthur stood up rigidly. “Who goes there?” 

Henry, the stable boy, stepped into the dim light of the courtyard that was lit by a few torches. 

He softened, his trembling hand wiping away his tears quickly. “Henry. What are you doing?”

The little boy looked at him skeptically. “My job, sir.”

Arthur then noticed the sun barely rising in the sky. 

“It’s not even— they have you rising this early?”

“I help the kitchen, sir. I collect the eggs,” he held up the empty basket in his hands. 

Arthur knew that. The kitchen maid had asked permission to uptake the little boy’s salary. “Right,” he said, and he cleared his throat. He could breathe again. “The knights rise too early, I suppose.”

Henry’s skeptic gaze continued. “Are you all right, sir?”

“I’m fine,” he lied.

Henry stiffened and bowed rather quickly, and Arthur turned to see his Queen rushing down the steps. She wore her trousers and one of his shirts, cloak hung around her arm. 

“Genny,” he said, and he swallowed his anger at the prospect of her leaving before dawn without telling a soul. She was going after him, he reminded himself. 

She halted quickly, and her face dropped in relief. “I thought you’d left,” she said, her hands moving to his chest. His hands moved naturally to her waist, forgetting they were in the presence of a child. “Never run out on me like that again,” she scolded before she noticed Henry. 

“Hello,” she said, and the royal couple dropped their hands. 

Henry smiled, a nervous smile that was reserved for a young boy with a desperate crush on a pretty woman, and he started back on his way. Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle, but Henry stopped on his path. He faced his King and Queen. “I get them, too,” he said solemnly, looking at Arthur. 

Arthur felt like someone had just thrown him into a cold bath. He swallowed. “Best be on your way,” he said, taking Genny’s hand in his, already pulling her back towards the doors to the castle. 

“What did that mean?” She demanded as soon as they were inside. 

He dropped her hand. “I don’t know.”

“Hey,” she stopped in her tracks at the bottom of the stairs. Arthur looked to her warily. She took both of his hands. “You’ve never spoken to me like that before.”

He softened. “I apologize, I didn’t mean—”

“Do not do that. Do not push me away,” she said again urgently. “If I did that to you, you’d never forgive me.”

He dropped one of her hands, using the other to pull her up the stairs. “It’s different. I’m supposed to take care of you.”

“We’re supposed to take care of each other,” she pulled her hand from his grip. “Please tell me you understand that by now.”

Frustration built in his chest. “You’ve barely looked at me for weeks, Genny. I don’t know the last time we’ve spoken alone— “

“There’s been no time. You come upstairs late, and you are gone by the time I wake. And need I remind you, the time you did sleep in, you were quite happy with the way I woke you—”

“Guenevere,” he hissed, grabbing her wrist to pull her along again. 

She scoffed. “Please grow up, Arthur, no one around us thinks that we’re celibate,” she grumbled but she followed up on their trek up the stairs. 

“I hope that no one thinks about our lives in that regard. Why would they?”

“We are a married couple.”

“That means nothing in an arrangement.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, and the severity in her voice caused him to pause and look at her. She looked close to tears. “I didn’t mean to make you feel alone. The last thing I want you to feel is alone in this. I’m just… frightened.”

His heart ached. This thing in him frightened her. “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

“No, Arthur, it’s not that,” she quickly corrected him. “It’s not you. It’s Mordred, it is… I hate how this threat is hanging over our heads.”

His chest tightened again. “He will not harm you, I promise.”

“He has already harmed you,” Genny said. “That is what I’m concerned about.”

Arthur couldn’t lie to her. He knew that. “When we first met, when he was ten. He… he came to me, and he had been beaten. He told me that his mother hit him,” he said, his heart heavy in his chest as he spoke about his and Mordred’s first meeting. “I don’t know if that’s true, if it was Morgan, or if it was— “

“It wasn’t.”

He sighed. “How do you know that?”

“What parent would harm their children?”

“My father did,” he said. He never spoke about Uther Pendragon. 

Genny stared at him, and the familiar pool of pity flooded her eyes. He patted her hand.

“It’s all right. I was a boy, then. It has been…I can’t even recall the last time I saw him.”

“That’s why you feel so guilty about Mordred,” she realized. “You didn’t save your son from what you endured.”

Arthur couldn’t have put it into words so perfectly. That’s exactly what Genny did for him since the beginning of their relationship. The creation of the round table, the next steps that seemed so hopelessly lost after Merlyn’s sudden death. Everything he accomplished in this brief period of peace, it was all because of her. He loved her, he loved her. He couldn’t lose her. He loved her. 

He cleared his throat. “Yes,” he said. “He’s an imbecile. I know that. I just can’t help but wonder if he would have turned out differently if I—” 

“If you what, Arthur?” Genny stepped forward so she was closer to him, her hands came to rest on his chest. “You didn’t know. You tried to take care of him when you knew. It’s not your fault that Morgan never attempted to contact you, or anything else. You did the best you could. You have nothing to feel guilty about.” 

Arthur stared at her pleading eyes. She wanted him to be okay. He wanted to be okay. He wanted to believe her, but there was just something there that hounded him. He should have checked on Morgan. He should have written to her much earlier. He should have, should have, should have. 

His hands on Genny’s hips gently pushed her away. “I need to dress for the day. I have a meeting with Dinadan.” 

He climbed the remainder of the stairs and pretended he didn’t feel her burning gaze.

[archester-creations]

always should be someone you love

Rated: G

Pairing: merwainethur (Merlin/Gwaine/Arthur)

Word Count: ~1k

A/N: love spell; court sorcerer Merlin; briefly mentioned Gwen/Lancelot/Morgana where Gwen is dating them both and Lancelot and Morgana are bi-wlw solidarity

"Sir Leon, we have a problem."

Leon briefly raised his eyes to the sky and prayed for strength. Maybe if he asked nicely Arthur would make someone else head knight. Maybe Lancelot. Lancelot was nice and loyal. Though he knew he wouldn't actually give up the job, but sometimes it was nice to imagine. "What is it, Mordred?"

"King Arthur seems to be under a love spell," Mordred said.

There was a long pause where Leon attempted to let the words sink in. Or maybe they sank in immediately and he just didn't want to believe them. "A what?"

"A love spell," Mordred repeated to his chagrin.

"And what makes you say that?" Leon asked. He already felt tired.

"The flowers he keeps giving to Sir Lancelot," Mordred said.

"Maybe he just wants to show Lancelot how much he appreciates him as a knight of Camelot," Leon said, hopeful if not for how false that sounded even to his own ears.

"He's also giving him love confessions, Sir Leon," Mordred said. Taking the thin thread of hope with it. Of course, why not.

"Thank you for letting me know, Mordred. I'll take care of it," Leon said. Mordred nodded and walked off to wherever he wanted to go while Leon prepared himself to go where he didn't want to go.

When he found Arthur, it was with his hand in an amused, and a little embarrassed looking, Lancelot's. Morgana was there as well. She looked very amused. If this wasn't another thing in a long list of things he felt he had to deal with too much of, Leon might find the horrendous platitudes falling from Arthur's lips amusing, too, but alas.

"Lancelot."

Lancelot looked over at him, eyes alight like he just saw his saviour from the executioner's block. "Leon!" Immediately Arthur quieted– a small blessing. The pout Arthur shot him at being interrupted was the same from when he fought with Merlin. "Thank gods you're here. Help me get him to Gaius?"

"I'll try." Leon nodded. He took Arthur's other arm and they pulled him along between them, Arthur quiet on the way and content to be led by Lancelot. All Leon really did was wave away curious servants and knights. That was fine, Lancelot had his hands full.

"So where is Merlin?" Leon asked, because this was something Merlin would usually help with. Which made Leon suddenly have to question how many love spells Arthur had fallen under over the years without his knowledge. Vivian's first visit to Camelot came to mind. He stopped questioning.

Lancelot shrugged. "I sent a servant for him when I sent Mordred for you, but I haven't seen him yet."

"I see," Leon said.

The one bright side was they got Arthur to Gaius’ chamber without much trouble. There were a few nosy servants, as well as a few genuinely concerned ones, so there would likely be rumours of an injury around the castle for a few days. But those were pretty common. Lancelot managed to guide Arthur to a chair and get him to sit down, staying beside him so Arthur would actually stay. The entire time, Gaius watched, an eyebrow raised.

“We need an antidote for a love spell,” Leon said. The way Gaius sighed and looked knowingly at Arthur did not make him feel much better. But at least it meant Gaius knew what to do.

“You’ll need to find whoever he truly loves. Only a kiss from them will bring him back,” Gaius said.

Lancelot nodded. “Do you know who that might be?”

Leon sighed. He remembered secretly catching Merlin, Gwaine, and Arthur together a month ago. At least they would both be brought to the roundtable so they wouldn’t have to find them.

“I don’t, sadly,” Gaius said. “I wish you luck.”

"Thank you, Gaius," Lancelot said. He turned to Arthur, whose eyes never left him. "Come on, let's go back to the other knights."

"Alright." Arthur smiled dopily up at him. It was a bit strange to see on Arthur; a lot more open than any similar looks Leon had seen. Maybe after they solved this, Arthur would show looks its like more readily. Since this would destroy any relationship secrecy those three had.

 The headache was worse. In front of him, Arthur sat in a chair with Lancelot next to him. He was totally unaware of the chaos around him– a blissful unawareness Leon wished for– as his focus was only for Lancelot, eyes big and occasionally sighing wistfully. It was a good thing Morgana wasn't here because she would have a field day with her brother being head-over-heels for her girlfriend's boyfriend. On his left were the knights. As far as Leon could tell, they'd divided themselves into two camps with Lancelot doing his best to mediate impartially– perhaps he actually thought that Arthur liked them both?– from Arthur's side, the king's hand still in his. The two camps, of course, were whether Arthur loved Merlin or Gwaine. Mordred seemed to be a firm supporter of Merlin. On his right were Merlin and Gwaine, currently in a debate as to how 'kissed by who you truly loved' even worked when you romantically loved more than one person, given that it wasn't exactly clear. They were also arguing over who should kiss Arthur. If anyone asked Leon, though he was sure no one would, neither of these arguments seemed very serious.

"Arthur loved you first, Merls, you should kiss him!"

"You didn't know Arthur back then. I can assure you he liked you first, so you shoul-"

"CLEARLY Emrys is the better choice than some chronically drunken idiot!"

"He's more than just a chronically drunken idiot!"

Yeah. The headache was much worse. Leon pinched the bridge of his nose. He regretted ever getting out of bed this morning. In fact, after this was over, he would retire for the day.

“Why don’t you both just kiss him?” Leon said. It cut off Merlin and Gwaine’s argument, though not the knight’s argument which was still going strong. Leon was pretty sure if it continued, a minor civil war might break out. Percival was cracking his knuckles. Both Merlin and Gwaine turned to look at him, before they looked back at each other.

Gwaine shrugged, eyebrows raised.

“Well it can’t hurt,” Merlin said. Gwaine stood up and walked over to Lancelot with Merlin on his heels.

“Lancelot, my good man?” Gwaine gestured for him to leave, of which Lancelot looked grateful. It took a bit of prying to get Arthur’s hand off his wrist. The second he did, he was at the other side of the room. Arthur reached for him, but Merlin held him back.

"Wait, wait Lancelot my love, where are you going?" Arthur cried desperately, eyes heartbroken. This finally put an end to the knight’s argument. They slowly turned to Arthur. He’d begun to struggle, and Merlin’s eyes were golden as he kept him in place. “Merlin! Unhand me!”

“Ready, Gwaine?” Merlin asked.

“Always.” Gwaine smiled.

And they kissed him as one. Somehow they managed it without knocking their heads together. It made Leon think they must’ve had practice at it. And then he stopped thinking. There was a cheer from Elyan. Arthur blinked a couple times when they pulled back and his eyes lost the doe look Leon barely noticed before now. As a knight of Camelot, he felt a bit shameful that he'd missed the magicked look of the love spell, but it was a little overshadowed by how he clung to Lancelot so he decided it was fine. Besides, now he better knew what to look for for next time.

Next time.

Leon blinked.

"I'm going back to bed," Leon announced. Before anyone could argue with him, he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

[roundtabletea]

Day in the Life of King Arthur

This post will cover how Arthur’s authority impacts how he uses his masculinity in the Stanzaic Morte. It will cover the events leading up to Arthur's death and how his lack of backbone led to this–it will be a sort of play-by-play from event to event.

I just spent a few hours in bed with Guinveve today, and wow, she is still as beautiful as ever! She didn’t seem as into it as usual, but I still enjoyed myself. So when she suggested holding a tournament, how was I to refuse? Sure, as king, I should be the one making those kinds of decisions, but a good idea is a good idea, so I’ll just follow her suggestion. I mean, we all know Lancelot is going to win. He always does, which makes sense given he’s the greatest and most virtuous knight we’ve got. I can always count on Lancelot in a pinch, that’s for sure. 

The tournament started today and wow did my knights impress me! However, the winner was definitely that stranger with the red sleeve. I don’t know who he was, but he was by far the most powerful opponent the knights faced. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I bet he would be equally matched with Lancelot! I was upset to see the knight wounded and even more upset to see him flee. I plan to hold another tournament in a month’s time, though I doubt our strange knight will be able to attend with how badly he got hurt. I’m still wondering where Lancelot was in the tournament, though. Seeing the two of them fight would have been amazing! Well, maybe he’ll show up for the next one…

Well, the other tournament was a bust. I didn’t expect the stranger to attend, but Lancelot didn’t show up either. I was wondering where he was until Gawain showed up and told Guinevere and I about how the Maid of Ascalot had his shield. Imagine my surprise when Gawain told my queen and I how the two were lovers! I had always wondered if Lancelot had a lover, but the Maid of Ascalot would not have been my first guess! Guinevere seemed disturbed by the news and I couldn’t tell you why. She and Lancelot always seemed close, but I have to admit I’m not sure what the problem is. A man needs a woman in his life, after all. Maybe she’s just being moody.

Lancelot has returned and fled again, all thanks to Guinevere and her mood. I would reprimand her, but she’s in trouble enough as it is and I wouldn’t even know how to bring up Lancelot to her right now. I mean, a dead Scottish Knight was found with her and things really don’t look good, especially because Sir Mador, his brother, showed up to avenge him. I also found a boat with the Maid of Ascalot’s dead body and note condemning Lancelot for her death! I don’t even know what to believe anymore. I mean, Lancelot never confirmed nor denied his involvement with the Maid, but still, two accusations in the same period of time? Now Guinevere needs someone to defend her in a trial by combat and Lancelot is nowhere to be found. I wish I could change the laws to protect Guinevere, but what would people think of me if I defended a possible killer? At least Bors agreed to fight Sir Mador for her if Lancelot doesn’t show up. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back at the last second like always! We’ll just have to wait and hope.

Lancelot showed up! He was in a disguise for some strange reason (he’s always had a thing for them; it’s really weird if you ask me, but if it works, it works) and fought off Sir Mador. Now I’m hearing whispers of Guinevere being unfaithful from Agravaine and I just don’t know what to do. It’s probably just all talk. Guinevere would never sleep with another man! 

Agravaine was right! Not only have Lancelot and Guinevere been seeing each other behind my back, Lancelot slew all of the knights that tried to confront him! At least Mordred survived the slaughter Lancelot caused. Him, I know I can trust. Gawain was really upset to hear his brothers died and I have to say it hurts to have knights slaying each other, almost as much as Lancelot’s betrayal hurts. It was hard to sentence Guinevere to death and I’m almost grateful that Lancelot rescued her. However, I still want her back on our side. We begin marching to Joyous Gard tomorrow to take back Guinevere. Off to war!

The war has been going on for a few months now with neither side prevailing. Lancelot seems almost afraid to kill me and despite my best attempts, he’s too powerful for me to kill. I’m not sure what Lancelot was thinking when he gave me his horse to ride out of danger. This war isn’t going anywhere and we aren’t making any headway. I hear words of the Pope getting involved and it sounds like I’ll be getting Guinevere back at his command. Lancelot isn’t off the hook, though. Gawain still wants him dead and I have to agree. If Lancelot and Gawian fought at the right time, Gawain would have a chance at winning!

Guinevere has been returned to me, but Lancelot still must be dealt with. I plan on leaving in a few days to assault Lancelot in his land of exile. I’m leaving Mordred in charge as temporary king. I know I can trust him to watch after Guinevere without anything funny going on. Gawain is still out for blood and I’m still convinced he’ll have a shot if he and Lancelot fight. Only time will tell, though.

What is it with me and traitors? Now Mordred has turned on me and threatens my kingdom! I hate to have to leave Lancelot, but I have a bigger threat to face. Besides, Gawain lost to Lancelot twice now and I can’t bear to see him wounded a third time. We’ll deal with Mordred and then come back for Lancelot. 

Gawain is dead! There have been two battles now with Mordred’s forces and Gawain was slain in the second one. It’s starting to look like we have no chance of defeating Mordred. I had a dream about the mysterious Wheel of Fortune and Gawain appeared in my other dream with some advice. He told me to wait for Lancelot’s army to come help and thus I have sent for Lancelot to aid us. We’re going to negotiate with Mordred, if the bastard can be reasoned with, but no swords must be drawn. That would spell disaster for any peace talks we might have.

So many knights have been slain now, all because of one snake! When trying to negotiate with Mordred, a snake appeared and one of my knights pulled his sword to slay it. That started the battle and now I am knee deep in loyal and disloyal knights’ bodies. Mordred is threatening me and I see no reason to deny him the fight he desires so badly. I will slay him!

Is this what death feels like? I am lying by the lakeside at this moment as a boat appears from the mist. I have already had Bedivere throw Excalibur into the water so the Lady of the Lake could reclaim what was her’s. It took three tries, but he finally obeyed his king. As I am helped into the boat, I can feel my life fading fast. I can only hope the powers of Avalon can save me…