#TKN Merlin

[thekingofthenameless]

I’M BACK

And I’m rebranding everything.

Profile picture change, username change (in a few days), etc.

talesofarcadiaforever -> thekingofthenameless

I took a long hiatus from writing and Tumblr in general because of bad burnout and putting expectations on myself that I shouldn’t have. Ha. But I’m back! And good news! I started writing again! Better news?

I decided to officially discontinue Emerald Embers and the Daylight’s Redemption series and write my own book.

I was already making everything so different from ToA that it was practically an alternate universe already: redesigning Merlin, making Merlin and Charlie familiars, adding magical species that weren’t explicitly in canon, completely changing other characters… I still love ToA, but I’m not hyperfixated on it anymore. And that’s okay. I was so scared of letting go for a long time, but I’m happy with my decision.

My wip is now called The King of the Nameless!

Currently, there are five main characters, and tidbits about each of them will be a little further down. (Except for one guy. He sucks.) Their attempted designs will also be down there.

In some aspects, it probably hasn’t changed too much. I’m still basing it off of Arthurian Legends, and Merlin is still the protagonist. But I redesigned him. Again.

The deuteragonist is Charlie; he and Merlin are still familiars. I tried several different names for him, but none of them would stick for him no matter how hard I tried; so Charlie the dragon he stays. But he now has the last name Ambrosius to reflect that he and Merlin are found family as well.

The other three characters in this stage of the story are Igraine, Gorlois, and Uther.

Igraine is Arthur and Morgana’s mother in the Arthurian Legends, (which I did not know at first and was wondering how Arthur and Morgana were half-siblings because they have different fathers…) and will stay the same here. I couldn’t find any official last name for her besides Pendragon from when she marries Uther? (Which is not going to happen here.) So I gave her and her husband the last name “le Fay” to match their daughter!

Gorlois is Igraine’s husband, and like I said, is Morgana’s father. However, unlike some media, he’s not going to be portrayed as a jealous and abusive husband. He’s the epitome of the “I love my wife” guy.

Uther is… a piece of work, to say the least. He’s the character who’s going to have a separate post because of triggering topics that I don’t want in this post.

I’m also going to make a separate post for upcoming characters, which include Nimue, Morgana, Arthur, etc.

Bear with me on lore and designs though please (I’m still working on the lore and I’m not sure if these will be their permanent designs except for Charlie). Some of it might be just random babble until I decide on something 😭 You’ll definitely be able to tell which characters I think about most ahaha.

Anyways, in more good news, I don’t use Artbreeder anymore. I attempt to use Picrews, but sometimes they don’t have everything I want, so I also use character creators from video games. If I could use Baldur’s Gate 3’s, I definitely would, but I’d have to spend like $600-ish to get something to play it on and get the game. 😑 I could also play it with my boyfriend, but our schedules are so busy with both of us working that’s it not really a convenient option.

But there is a game called Dragon’s Dogma, and I’ve been using that one! It’s an older game, so it doesn’t really have many fantasy character options, but it’s good enough for human characters lol. I made Igraine and Gorlois with it, and a few other characters yet to be posted.

Design and lore time!

Merlin:

This is him at the beginning of TKN! Expect more art of him eventually.

• 6' 8"

• “my son crump he has every disease”: schizophrenia, C-PTSD, misophonia

• is still a cambion like in the Arthurian Legends (specifically half-human, half-demon)

• was supposed to be the Anti-Christ (also like in the Legends)

• is also a romance and sex repulsed, non-partnering aroace <3.

• usually excudes a regal, dignified presence, and his preference for flowing outfits helps

• may seem slightly formal with strangers, but on a good day where he can clock their personality, he’ll either warm up to them quickly, or distance himself, depending on the person

• has a strong sense of justice, which also makes him anti-authoritarian for the most part. (unless they’ve actually proven that they’re not just in their position for the power of it, or because of nepotism; and really do want to help people.)

• extremely loyal

• highly empathetic; cries easily

• has a lot of trauma, but is still kind because he’s not going to make people suffer just because he did

• adrenaline junkie in regards to flying with Charlie

• Doesn’t kill if not necessary.

• Is very punctual. If you tell him to come at 5 he’ll be there at 4:30. At most.

Charlie:

• 6' 6" (top of muzzle)

• 7' 3" (top of head)

• the marking on his leg is his familiar mark!

• still nice, seems a little rougher around the edges than Merlin

• says the things that his wizard thinks but won’t say, and doesn’t hide that he stares people down while gauging their character. he sometimes won’t care that he sounds mean or very direct either

• very protective of his familiar and is intensely loyal to him. isn’t really willing to leave the latter alone with people they don’t really know because of people attempting to take advantage of his schizophrenia in the past, gaslighting him into thinking that their actions weren’t real and were things he hallucinated/imagined

• Do no harm but take no shit

• Far more willing to kill than Merlin

• “Hey do you want me to kill that guy for you? Because it sounds like he sucks and I will totally kill that guy for you.”

• (I guess he technically counts as an emotional support animal but like. he’s sentient so idk 😭)

• is an omnivore (most dragons are, but he eats more human food than them from growing up and staying around them.)

Igriane:

• 6' 5"

• a wizard!

• was originally a red head before I realized that oh yeah. Morgana has brown hair, and a ginger and blonde would definitely not for the most part have a brunette kid

• purple eyes (haven’t decided if I’m gonna stay with this concept, but I like the idea of all wizards having some type of heterochromia, or technicolor eyes to show that they have magic)

Gorlois:

• 6' 0"

• he doesn’t have any type of unique eye color yet because I didn’t have the concept of that for wizards yet, and still not sure if I’m gonna keep it so. blue eyes for now

• again I say he’s the “I love my wife” guy!!

• also a wizard (which is where Morgana gets her magic when she’s born. You have two parents with magic you’re like. guaranteed to have magic.)

• maybe not really much of a fighter? Would probably use some type of sword if he was.

Wow that was so much lore. 👍 If anyone wants to talk to me about my ocs or suggest ideas, my ask box is always open! (And I love love love getting asks)

Artist credits!

Merlin:

Charlie’s original artist:

Charlie’s second artist:

Charlie’s saddle:

[honeyxmonkey]

Commission for @thekingofthenameless !

A Merlin and Charlie for you my dear💜

[azurewildflight]

Commission for @thekingofthenameless

The lovely Merlin with his familar Charlie!

I had a lot of fun creating this piece

Thanks again, @thekingofthenameless for the commission!

[thekingofthenameless]

“I am not leaving you. I am never leaving you.”

Post credits: marsadist (on Twitter) handotcom, slytherverse, virtualplushy, lalaluune (on Twitter)

Artist credits: biposi, honeyxmonkey (1, 2) azurewildflight, and theeio

[thekingofthenameless]

Drops 2.4K of Unforgivable. and runs away

Merlin: He wakes up in an unfamiliar room. He forces the panic that threatens to drown him in its ocean down, (it’s still there, making his body hot, but at least he can think somewhat clearly) focusing on his surroundings. He squints in the dim light, hoping his eyes will adapt quickly. It… seems like a dungeon. A nasty, pungent one, at that. The scent of urine and feces combine to make a horrid smell that makes him cough and wrinkle his nose in disgust. More than likely, it's what woke him. He’ll definitely have to bathe and wash his clothes once he gets out of here. But why is he being held captive in the first place? He hasn’t been blindfolded, and no clothing has been taken off; his piercings are still in as well. (Thank the other gods for that mercy.) However, his hands are bound behind his back, and his ring is gone. They must have known it's his weapon. But how? They know you, the voices say, unbidden. He brushes them off. Who would know him and want to capture him? He shifts a little, trying to get more comfortable to alleviate the pain in his back- There’s something on his wrists besides the ropes. But what…? Magical suppressants. He’s cut off from his domain. He frantically begins searching for any sort of sharp object that would cut the ropes, but there’s nothing, only stone walls and floors, a few torches here and there. Of course they wouldn’t leave anything, with however they captured him. He struggles in vain to remember something, anything of what happened. His memory is shit, (and it had been even before his madness started, because apparently, being the god of magic doesn’t mean being granted a good memory) but it’s never been this bad. Did they give him some kind of mind wiping spell or potion? If they did, it had to have been a spell; no taste of anything foreign is in his mouth. And Charlie’s gone. The literal pain in his heart is proof of that, and it's all too obvious now that he's noticed. Does he feel it too? Where is he? Did he avoid being captured, unlike him? If he didn't, is he somewhere else in this dammed place? All right, calm down. A god cannot panic. Think. Why would they have wiped your mind? They must not want him to know the journey here. A cold sense of dread grips him, replacing the panic. He’d easily admit that he gets paranoid thoughts often, but there’s nothing good about taking someone captive and wiping their mind so they won’t know where you took them. He forces himself to take a deep breath. In through the nose, (at least he’s already getting used to this terrible air, and that lets him focus more) out through the mouth. The first thing to do would be getting his hands unbound, so he can take off these magic suppressing cuffs. The sooner, the better. Just because he feels fine now doesn’t mean he will later. And no matter what they captured him for, (questioning? Blackmail? Something else?) he’s not going to let them get hurt if he ends up not being able to control his magic. He tries not to think about the damage he could cause. (Of the lives he could end.) Footsteps alert him to someone’s presence. His brow furrows as he listens, turning his head so that he can hear better. He could swear that… he recognizes them, but that doesn’t make sense. Does it? Either way, with a little bit of luck, they’ll at least release him from the cuffs if he acts like the perfect, docile captive. When their guards are lowered, he can escape, find his companion, and forget this ever happened. Taking a deep breath, he prepares himself for the stranger he’ll have to face.

Instead, Mordecai steps out of the shadows. He doesn’t seem to notice the stench down here. Confusion replaces his trepidation (and panic), but at least he doesn’t have to put on a mask yet. “Mordecai? What are you doing here-” He did this. They were right about your captor knowing you. That’s how they knew your ring is your weapon. He’s seen you use it, seen you fight. No, he wouldn’t do this. …That’s true, isn’t it? He isn’t surprised to see you captive. Of course he knows you’re captive, idiot. He came down here. Unless he hadn’t known who the prisoner was before. But he does seem to. Mordecai stares at him silently, watching the different emotions flickering across his face. He resents his expressiveness for a moment, wishing he could hide under a layer of indifference. “You brought me here,” he says quietly. He could be wrong, but he highly doubts it. His acquaintance laughs. “Oh, that was quick. If you keep figuring out things at that speed, this could get boring.” He glares at him, futilely attempting to ignore the ache in his chest. (It’s there for two reasons now.) Someone else betrayed him. So what? He still has Charlie. Wherever he is. Taking a moment to clear his mind (or attempt to), he sends a message to his familiar. “Charlie, where are you? Are you all right?” He waits anxiously, trying not to get his hopes up but not give into despair at the same time. So instead, he demands answers. “Why? What do you want from me?” Before the man can reply, he continues, “Where is Charlie? If you’ve hurt him in the slightest-” “Calm yourself, wizard,” Mordecai interrupts, and if his hands were free, he’d give him a certain gesture. With both hands. “We only have… a few questions for you.” “Well, depending on what they are, maybe you could have asked them before you decided to capture me. And who else is here?” Suddenly, a white woman, with red hair braided over her right shoulder, and brown eyes (who he hadn’t even heard, because he’s been so focused on Mordecai) walks up beside the latter, putting a hand on his shoulder and caressing it. Ugh, are they courting? Married? “You have someone angry with you, wizard.” Her voice sounds soft, but it carries a dangerous undertone that makes him stiffen. Amidst wondering who the person is, and why they’re angry, it’s incredibly clear that she doesn’t even bother looking at him. And like Mordecai, she shows no signs of caring about the awful air. He studies her. His facial recognition is as shitty as his memory, but he’s almost certain he’s never met her before. Almost. Finally, she glances at him; her expression changes into disgust. “What’s wrong with his eyes?” She asks her suitor? Husband?, turning to him.

“Have you ever heard of something called being born with magic?” Merlin replies, raising an eyebrow. “It’s incurable.” Most know about them, even if seeing their color in person still surprises them, sometimes. It makes sense, even if he does get tired of being on the receiving end of the same reactions over and over. Reading about bright blue eyes, with orange rings near their pupils, against dark brown skin isn’t nearly the same thing as being able to stare into them. …Does she not know who he is? She glowers at him, and he returns it. “Of course,” she says haughtily, “but they’re still unsettling. They should be brown.” Mordecai suddenly laughs, and they both look at him. “I don’t think you should talk to Merlin that way, whether he’s currently tied up or not.” The woman’s mouth drops open in shock, eyes widening; she stares at both of them, unable to believe it. “That’s Merlin? He’s Merlin?” All right, suspicions confirmed. But why would Mordecai not have told her his name? “I wanted to surprise you by having the most powerful wizard alive in our dungeon, my love,” is his reply. Oh. Our dungeon. Do you even know him at all I… thought I did. He still hasn’t said what he wants from you. And Charlie hasn’t… “Charlie, please answer me.” There’s still silence. Not even a flicker of his telepathy being received. The ache in his chest becomes worse, harder to ignore. Why isn’t he answering? He notices Mordecai taking her hand and kissing it, but he’s unable to feel disgust like most of the time, even with pet names. “Are you?” Smirking, she reaches up to stroke his cheek. “Very.” Somehow, he keeps his face neutral, despite being divided between fear, anger, and laughing at the sheer irony. If you’re this happy now, imagine knowing you actually captured a god. She removes her hand from Mordecai’s cheek, walking over to him; she stares at him the whole time, assessing, and he has to fight the urge to twitch under the weight of her eyes. Once she reaches him, she roughly grips his chin, tilting his head up. She smells like sandalwood, soft and warm, completely opposite to how she’s treating him. “You’re not what I expected Merlin to look like at all.” He just stares at her, face unchanging. Inwardly, confusion and annoyance are simultaneously present. What does she want him to say to that? What does anyone who tells him that? “You have no idea how many times I’ve heard that. Is it a compliment in this case?” He questions, putting on a fake smile. And get your hands off me. “No,” she says bluntly. Ignoring his smile changing to an insulted expression, she continues, “Do you know how you got here?” He shakes his head mutely. He’s been able to begin suppressing some of his emotions, and now he has to play his part of being weak, compliant, no matter how much he hates acting like this. “I don’t remember. What did you do to me?” He asks, pitiful and pleading. Mordecai laughs a second time, and the sound grates against his ears. “Docile so soon? I thought you’d put up more a fight. I’m a little disappointed in you.” When you kidnapped me? Fuck you. He lowers his gaze, which is easy, because he refuses to look into their eyes. “Fighting when captive only brings punishment.” The woman, who he still doesn’t know the name of, hums in agreement, finally releasing his chin. “You’re right. You seem smarter than some give you credit for.” He keeps his gaze lowered, even as the backhanded compliment gets under his skin. “Do you have Charlie?” “Now, why would we tell you that?” Mordecai replies, tone condescending under a veil of faked gentleness.

Fear and hopelessness constrict his heart. He manages to keep his shoulders from stiffening, but his emotions are exposed, raw, and they both know. It’s in their eyes, on their faces. They must be showing on his own, his façade of suppression shattered, because he still doesn’t know if his dragon is all right, if he escaped, and Mordecai’s betrayal still hurts- The man laughs a third time, reveling in seeing him like this for some reason, and anger rises in his chest, the different emotions swirling around in him bringing tears to his eyes. “Why do you care so much? He’s just a pet, even if he can speak.” “No, he’s not!” He cries, the anger burning hot and bright now. His bonds feel tighter than ever, his magic aching to be released, so he can teach them to never call his familiar a pet again. “Tell me where he is!” “Hmm, you were right, darling,” the woman says calmly, unfazed by his fury. “Right about what?” He demands, done with their condescension, their evasiveness, their kidnapping him just to have him answer a few questions. Mordecai smiles, and it’s a sharp, dangerous one that he’s seen from Gunnar, and his mouth goes dry, heart pounding as he remembers his father, who’s always soaked in blood, the battlefields, the bodies- His lips move, but Merlin doesn’t hear what comes out of his mouth. “What?” He mutters dumbly past the rising lump in his throat, feeling like he’s drowning, even with his smile gone. Mordecai’s brows furrow, seeing the terror on his face, wondering why since he has no way of knowing, but he answers anyways: “The way to get to you is through the dragon.” With that, he smiles again, smug this time, and he wants to punch it right off the man’s face. Theres no way for him to refute his statement, but he doesn’t care. “Mordecai, where is he?” He only clicks his tongue. “Goodness, Merlin. You can’t even deny it.” His tears begin falling, slipping down his cheeks despite his efforts. He glares at both of them through his blurring vision, wanting his companion more than anything. “Already in tears, wizard?” The woman mocks, smirking, and he hates both of them, and he wants Charlie to respond, and escape and find him and forget this ever happened- “We haven’t even gotten started yet.” “Unsurprising, really.” Mordecai moves closer, and… strokes his cheek, uncaring of him not wanting his touch, or the tears still streaming down his face, refusing to stop. “He’s so softhearted.” “What did I even do to you?” He sobs. Despair begins to settle over him, suffocating him, no matter how much he’s trying to stay strong. “Charlie, please. Please let me know you’re all right.” Silence. He sobs harder. “Shh…” Mordecai murmurs, not stopping his motions. “It’s not what you did to us. It’s what you did to a friend.” “Who?” The panic returns, gripping him in a vice, and he can’t remember who he could have slighted, only able to think of his family, of Charlie, and why- “I suppose it’s time to get them now, isn’t it, darling?” The woman asks. He can’t see her expression. His vision is blocked from Mordecai’s body in front of him and his tears. Another sob tears from his throat, his body becoming hot, stomach twisting into knots, breaths becoming harsh and ragged.

Mordecai nods and steps away, and he can’t even be relieved at the fact that his hand is gone because he’s terrified of what’s coming. Who are the other people? What did he do? What do they want to do to him? Where’s his dragon? He can’t be unconscious. He has to either be asleep or too far away to hear him. When has he ever been that far away? (He hasn’t.) No, he’s fine. He’s fine. He can’t be captive like he is, muzzled so he can’t use his jaws or fire, wings tightly tied in ropes or clipped-

[thekingofthenameless]

Happy Pride Month!!!! OC that was previously cis is now transmasc!

That was the concept I was yelling about! Everyone I’ve told has loved it, and Tumblr’s getting it too.

Anyways TRANSMASC MERLIN MY BELOVED

I can say with the upmost confidence that he’s definitely never been transgender in any Arthurian adaptation before except fanfiction.

There isn’t really much of a story for why I decided to do this, though. He’s been cisgender for a little over three years, give or take, and I hadn’t had any intentions of changing it.

But I had literally just started work yesterday morning, and out of nowhere my brain was like: “Trans Merlin.”

And then I got consumed by it.

There isn’t much content about him being transgender; only ten posts tagged posts for it on Tumblr, 82 fics of it on Ao3. (Yes, I checked.) And it’s all for one adaptation only: BBC Merlin.

I’m going to be the change I want to see though >:)

So without further ado, here’s a few new facts about him!

Merlin was his name at birth, and he kept it after transitioning.

(In my opinion, it’s an ode to trans people who don’t change their name before or after transitioning, and it’s also a reference/mythology gag to female portrayals of Merlin, such as The Seven Deadly Sins!)

(Honestly thinking about it, I can’t believe in all these adaptations of Arthurian Legend Merlin isn’t trans in at least one?? Or queer in some way? This is so rude.)

In TKN, cambions can shapeshift easily, and there’s also a spell they can cast that makes the form they change into their base/true form, which is what Merlin did. (He cried when he finally saw who he wanted to be in a mirror.)

When he was deciding on how he wanted to ideally look before the spell, he decided he didn’t want to let his ear piercings close, and he also chose to keep his hair long and keep wearing jewelry.

(Older queers my beloved.)

He still got periods until he went into menopause because magic unfortunately, as he and I both agree can’t get rid of periods, and he actually didn’t want to change his genitalia! He still has every reproductive organ he was born with. His chest, however, gave him gender dysphoria, so he bound it during/after puberty before using the spell.

(I love how Merlin has gone from cis white to cis ambiguously brown skinned [glad I changed that lol] to cis black to transmac black. Just. Merlin my beloved.)

Charlie is one of the few characters who knows that Merlin is transgender: people already think Merlin’s crazy for his schizophrenia and psychosis, and/or an asshole for his misophonia, so he doesn’t want to risk another thing they’d use against him. Charlie is the best familiar and was fully supportive throughout his transition, and he loves him and is fully willing to accommodate his disabilities when no one will.

(Trans Merlin has been giving me so much euphoria all day oh my gosh. I love him so much.)

He still has a sister! Her name is Ganieda, and in some of the Legends she’s two years younger than him. Here, though, they’re identical twins!

(No offense to the og Legends, but for one reason, it’s because of Adhan having a second child only two years after being assaulted and getting pregnant from it. She would’ve gotten pregnant again at a year and three months after? It’s kind of strange, in my opinion.)

Also identical twins, and one of them being trans!

(I just. TRANS MERLIN)

As a given, he knows what periods and feminine rage and experiencing misogyny are like! But in a world that doesn’t for the most part, he comes off as well versed in it to everyone else.

(This is just an idea for now, but I was thinking that maybe later in TKN, Morgana gets her period at Camelot, and after Merlin gets her taken care of/gently educates her about it, he astral projects to Igraine and Gorlois and is like: “Hey Morgana got her period, but I got her taken care of dw 👍” and their response is: “Wow, you’re really knowledgeable about periods!”

Merlin: Trans panic

He’s experienced both womanhood and manhood, and both of them are extremely important to him. He was raised as a daughter. He experienced being a sister. He went through puberty in a girl’s body. He has the right to tell her story, and his.

Anyways. Transmasc Merlin because I’m not going to stop screaming about it

Also I made this :D

[thekingofthenameless]

New TKN headcanon!

(Is it a headcanon when it’s your own thing? Idk lol)

Despite dragons being stereotyped/depicted as having huge hoards of treasure and other things, Charlie doesn’t have one

If you asked him about it, he’d walk over to Merlin and either: lightly bite some part of him, or grab some part of him in his jaws and just hold him there, because that’s what’s his

(Merlin’s the one with a shit ton of books and stuff lol)

[thekingofthenameless]

Tell me your top 3 OCs

Thanks for the ask!!! :D

My top two are definitely Merlin and Charlie!

(I have other ocs of course, but I have no thoughts about them rn because I’m writing a oneshot specifically centered around these two, so I’m just gonna talk about their bond for the third lmao.)

1. Merlin:

Merlin (full name Merlin Caledonensis Ambrosius) is a Black transgender aroace man! (Specially non-partnering, as well as being romance and sex repulsed.) He’s also neurodivergent: he has schizophrenia, psychosis (as a symptom of it), misophonia, and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He has a carefully crafted image of himself that he’s made as a way to survive, and no one besides Charlie, Ganieda, or Vivian will know his true self.

He hides it all under being a very mellow person.

He’ll smile easily, make shitty puns, converse with most people he comes across, give advice and trade knowledge freely without there being any catch, unlike some others out there.

Many consider him a friend, one of the most renowned protectors of magic, and one of the most famous magical beings, that everyone at least knows the name of. (Despite the demons that apparently have plagued his mind for centuries.)

But both he and his dragon are shrouded in myths and legends that no one knows are true or not, and he’ll never confirm or deny, simply dodging the curiosity or asking about the questioner with a smile.

(Unless it’s about being secretly married, because then he’ll go on a disgusted rant about being thrust into romance, and how he’s never been in a relationship, and he doesn’t need it, he has Charlie and his sister and his friends.)

His secrecy isn’t just limited to his past; it’s to the point that he feels exposed if someone simply finds out something he likes.

He usually doesn’t think about the fact that he’s constantly hiding parts of himself to make him seem more palatable, but when he does, he resents it. (And understands, because he’s hard to deal with. He has no idea why Charlie still loves him, sometimes.)

Just a few of the secrets he holds close to his chest are being naturally left-handed, hiding it behind the mask of ambidexterity that he taught himself. His complete and utter lack of romantic or sexual attraction, to the point of being repulsed at the idea. His aversion to a frankly maddening amount of sounds, and being born a girl, who hadn’t wanted to change his reproductive organs because they didn’t make him feel distressed and not at home in his own body like his breasts.

The voices in his mind tell him that everyone knows, no matter how hard he’s tried to hide them, and that they’ll hurt him again; Charlie has to constantly reassure him that no one else knows besides the two of them. (But not that he’d never betray him by revealing them. He’ll always trust his familiar, and Charlie knows that.)

Art Dump! (And an excerpt of his appearance from another character’s point of view because I’m lazy lol)

Click on the pictures for better quality and to see the whole thing! (The old one is his first, older design; the second one is his current one.)

[Amos] tries not to stare, taking in his appearance nonetheless. The man who is apparently Merlin seems to be only a couple of inches shorter than him, even from where he’s standing. Long white hair, that shines like freshly fallen snow, rests halfway down his back. It’s locked into thick strands that remind him of strong rope, tied up into a mid-high ponytail. Every side of his head is shaved, showing softer but still coarse hair that glimmers like frost. “Merlin,” Uther calls. “I have someone for you to meet.” He turns, revealing his face. He’s beautiful. He’s Black; his skin is a warm, dark brown. Several scars (one on the left side of his forehead, above his eyebrow; another spanning from his forehead to his nose, ending a little below his eyes; and the last across his left cheek) darker than his skin adorn his face. His eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard (which has a coarse, curly texture) are as white as his hair. His almond shaped eyes are a lighter shade of blue, with orange rings around his pupils. Eyebags darker than his skin, but a different shade than his scars, are under them. The bridge of his nose is prominent, making it curve. An aquiline nose, if he remembers correctly. He hasn’t seen anyone who has it in a while. He’s wearing a dark green bliaut, (that shows some of his chest, and he has to quickly look away) brown pants, a long, hooded blue cape, and brown heeled boots. A necklace, which is only a gem held with black string, rests against his neck. A bracelet is on his right wrist, and a ring is on his right hand’s second finger.

2. Charlie:

Charlie (full name Charlemagne William Ambrosius) seems a little rougher around the edges than his wizard, but he’s still nice (once he gets to know someone).

If he doesn’t know them yet, he won’t hide the fact that he stares them down while gauging their character. And even if he does, if they aren’t Ganieda or Vivian, he’ll still give them the same stare if they say or do something that could register as a possible threat to his beloved. (Yes, he calls Merlin that now. You’re welcome.)

He’ll say the things that Merlin thinks but won’t say, and doesn’t care that he comes off as mean or blunt sometimes either.

No one else’s opinion matters as long as Merlin is safe.

Anyone trying to separate the two of them, no matter for how long, immediately comes off as suspicious to him. People have attempted to take advantage of his familiar’s illness in the past, by convincing him that their actions weren’t real and were things he hallucinated or imagined. Sometimes, they also do the opposite and make him remember things that never happened.

And there’s the separation that still haunts both of them in different ways.

He’d been out hunting (which takes hours, since he’s a 3,000 pound dragon that eats a lot, but at least he only needs to eat every 4-5 days) leaving Merlin behind with their mutual acquaintance, Mordecai. His familiar had been feeling slightly tired, but neither of them were too worried; he’d hopefully sleep it off.

When he returned, Merlin was gone.

After hours of frantically trying to contact him through their telepathic bond multiple times while tracking his scent, he found a monastery.

His companion’s scent led him down to a dungeon, which had a chair with blood at its feet. And it continued in a trail somewhere else.

He had to quell his rising terror and fury to focus on finding him, following the blood and still strong scent upstairs.

Finally, he’d found the door that Merlin seemed to be behind, and he entered quietly when he only heard silence.

Even after seeing the blood, he still wasn’t expecting Merlin on a bed, sheets under him bloodied and stained, two corpses on the floor.

He was curled into himself, staring off at nothing.

They’d tortured him, broken him.

He never wants to see his beloved look that like again.

Art dump and excerpt:

(Like Merlin, the old one is his first, older design; the second one is his current one.)

(Charlemagne stares at [Uther] the whole time, red eyes almost glowing in the dim light.) How is no one else unnerved by him? He’s entirely unsettling, with those red eyes, (at least they have white sclera; that helps with making him look slightly less monstrous) giant, feathered wings colored like lava, and thick-furred body colored like soil and fire. (What kind of dragon has fur and feathers, anyways?) Besides that, the mark of being a familiar adorns his leg, for lack of a better word, unable to be hidden.

Their bond:

(To help with some things, cambions and dragons both age extremely slowly! Cambions age one year in every five years; dragons age one year in every fifty-five years.)

Yes, I did math for this lmao.

(Dragons also turn fully adult at five years old [two hundred seventy-five chronologically]. At a year old [fifty-five], they’re still too small to open their eyes. Five years later [60], they’ve opened, but their teeth haven’t grown in yet. Ten years later [70], they’re able to be weaned off milk. At two years old [110], they’re able to speak. From there, the main changes are their bodies slowly changing into adulthood.)

Merlin and Charlie have been familiars for a long time: over 4,000 years. (I don’t have an exact year yet. 😓) The two of them have been best friends, and inseparable for most of their lives.

Merlin, pre-transition, as a thirteen year old (chronologically 65) on the cusp of puberty, found him abandoned by his parents in the woods. They didn’t think he’d survive for much longer; the only reason he wasn’t classified as a runt was because mammalian dragons only have one offspring at a time.

At a year old (chronologically 55), he was too small to even open his eyes, but he could hear. Merlin’s hands gently ran over his fur, murmuring soothing words, getting him used to the feeling, voice and scent of human, before he gently cradled him in his arms and took him home. The little kit would be eaten by anything opportunistic enough if he didn’t.

Adhan was used to her son’s empathetic nature, but she never expected him to bring home a dragon.

Eventually, she was convinced, though.

Merlin fed him cow’s milk from a wooden bowl, hoping that he would able to digest it. (He was, fortunately.)

He looked down at the kit, colored like soil and fire, and lava all in one, and decided to name him Charlemagne William. He wasn’t going to give him his last name just yet.

Merlin always knew he was more intelligent than an average animal, no matter what anyone else thought, and talked to him as though he was human even back then.

Soon, it became commonplace to see the two of them together, Merlin either holding the little dragon in his arms, or carrying him in the blanket that he wrapped around himself.

Charlie became more affectionate as well, always curling against his side or on his chest.

By the next five years, when Merlin aged into fourteen, there was no concept of the two ever separating, but there was confusion when Charlie stayed the same size and age. (He’d opened his eyes only recently, and his teeth weren’t coming in; he couldn’t eat solid food as a result.)

Amidst Merlin’s worry over his dragon not seeming to grow, puberty slammed into him.

And he didn’t feel like a girl. It wasn’t his clothes; he’d always loved outfits that go down to his knees or farther. It was his body.

He felt too feminine, felt like he was all blossoming curves and soft features. He hated seeing his breasts grow, and he began to bind them, hiding the fact from everyone; fortunately, his healing factor helped offset any negative effects, and everyone was focused on getting Ganieda and Vivian together, anyways.

(Ugh, romance.)

But what he would be if he wasn’t a girl? A man? (Yes, is his answer, deep down.) That was ludicrous.

This would pass.

(It did not pass.)

At night, when everything was quiet, he vented to his dragon about everything, gently cradling him in his arms. How he didn’t feel like a girl and didn’t feel at home in his body. How certain sounds set him off, and people thought he would outgrow it, but he wasn’t, and how he was terrified of telling his family these things. He had to be a good daughter.

(Charlie would nuzzle him, understanding every word, purring as loudly as he could to comfort his beloved wizard.)

Charlie finally started growing more teeth when Merlin was sixteen, chronologically eighty years and six months then. He slowly weaned his dragon, introducing him to different types of meats and other foods. Apparently, they’re omnivorous, but it’s usually easier to just eat meat instead because of their size.

Despite the relief at the fact that his dragon just aged very slowly, his body dysphoria refused to leave. He knew that it wasn’t normal to hate looking at yourself in the mirror, and hate becoming a woman. (Especially since Ganieda accepted it, and loved it, happy to grow older so she and Vivian could marry sooner.)

Sometimes, when he was sure that everyone was asleep, he’d shapeshift into a man under the moonlight streaming through his window. He’d stare at himself, reverently running his hands over his face, quietly walking around his room in the body he so desperately wanted.

But he pushed it down, keeping it a guilty secret. Womanhood was still important to him; he had to be a good daughter, a good sister, and he loved them too much to just leave. But how would they react, if he did tell them?

(Charlie always treated him with the same love, man or woman, affectionately nuzzling him and purring. His eyes held an understanding that he wished everyone else would have.)

Maybe… he could broach the topic with his mother.

He did, eventually, and she gently stroked his steadily growing locs as he curled against her, speaking in nothing louder than a whisper the whole time. (Charlie rested against his feet, quietly watching them both. Adhan easily believed her son about his intelligence, now.)

She didn’t have any advice, in the end. But she kissed his forehead and told him that she’d always love him, no matter what. And if she did end up having a son, then she’d be blessed with the most amazing one she could have.

Twenty-five years later, at twenty-one (one hundred five years old), he shapeshifted into a man again, this time using his magic to make this form his true one. He cried when he was finally able to have the body he’d wanted for so long permanently.

Charlie wrapped around his legs, nuzzling him, and he picked him up, holding his dragon close. He purred loudly, sweet and comforting, even as Merlin’s tears soaked his fur.

Another seventeen years later, when Merlin was twenty-four (one hundred twenty-two), and Charlie was two (one hundred ten); Merlin was reading by the fire, and Charlie was curled against his right side.

Charlie looked up at his wizard adoringly, letting out soft purrs. He wanted to speak, talk to him just as much, and thank him for everything he’s done.

Merlin’s hand reached down to gently scratch his head, and he leaned into the contact, wishing he could speak even more.

Maybe… he could try.

“Merlin?” He said quietly, doing his best to not wriggle in excitement so the surprise wasn’t spoiled.

His wizard looked up at the unfamiliar voice, brow furrowing in confusion. After searching the room, his gaze went back down to him. “Charlie, did you hear that?”

“Yes,” was his simple answer.

Merlin’s mouth dropped open, eyes widening in shock. “What- You just talked.”

He smiled proudly, tail thumping as his wizard’s brain broke. “You can talk.”

After the subsequent reveal, and excitement had died down, they had long conversations that lasted for hours. At the end of it, their bond had only strengthened, and now, they knew things about each other that no one else ever would.

Twenty-three more years later, when Merlin was twenty-nine (one hundred forty-five), his schizophrenia began to set in.

He began to hear people calling his name when they hadn’t; began seeing things out of the corner of his eyes, with nothing being there when he turned around, confused. His food began to taste terrible when he knew it was the same as everyone else’s, and he became terrified of it being poisoned.

Then the voices and delusions started.

They started out positive, but over time they began to tell him crueler things.

His delusions told him that someone has invaded their home and is walking around (he can hear their footsteps), bugs were crawling on his hands in the dark until he turned a light on, or touched Charlie so his glowing spread to his hands.

And they happened over, and over, and over again, but every time it was real until he came out of it and remembered that they aren’t.

At least they usually didn’t last for that long.

But his hallucinations started getting worse, and instead of just hearing nonexistent voices, people and creatures appeared.

Sometimes it made absolute sense that a stranger was in their house. And they weren’t a threat, simply doing things that made him inquire why they were there.

Charlie, who was up to his knees now, was determined to help his wizard.

He suggested putting bells on the door so Merlin can think back and remember if they rang or not before he panics about a stranger being in their house. (It isn’t foolproof, but it does help.)

When the gaps in Merlin’s memory began to get worse, it didn’t matter. He’d remember for him. He’d eat some of his food first so that he knew that it wasn’t poisoned. He’d stay awake when he was afraid of falling asleep.

Merlin took care of him first. It was his turn.

After they fought in battles, and Merlin’s sensitivity to loud noises increased, along with new trauma, his stance didn’t change.

He’d breathe on him instead of calling his name so he doesn’t get as startled, and he’d walk across a room (in the rare occasion of that) instead of yelling for him. He’d do his absolute best to not yell at someone making him angry, no matter how much he wanted to.

He’d understand when Merlin got snappy because of his senses being bombarded with too much, and never blame him for it. He’d lay his head on his stomach as a comforting weight when panic became too much.

He’d say that he loves him, and he’s not going anywhere, he never is, and repeat those words over and over again, as many times as he needs to.

Merlin was sixty-five (three hundred twenty-five), when he became immortal. He could’ve used the spell that makes aging stop at thirty, like Ganieda, but the main reasons he didn’t was because he wanted to have natural white hair, not just changing his hair color, and he thought looking older would make him seem more distinguished. (If he’d aged badly, he would’ve shifted back to his younger appearance and kept the white hair. He didn’t, though.)

Charlie was a fully grown adult at five years old (three hundred thirteen), and just his head was as big as Merlin’s torso.

They went flying together now, and Merlin had crafted a saddle himself. Sometimes it was just a slow, leisurely fly for the sake of it; sometimes it was high speed, filled with loops and falling through the air. They still hardly ever argued about anything, but in the very rare occasion they did, they’d stay in the same room, spending time together in silence so they can calm down and see the other’s point of view. They always, always talked things out in the end.

They share the same feelings towards each other: I love you. I love you so much that I can’t fathom spending time away from you unless it’s absolutely necessary, and I’ve willingly chosen to stay with you for the rest of our lives. This bond was formed by a labor of love, and nothing can ever separate us, except for death.

I know things about you that no one else ever will. Typical familial terms like father figure or brother don’t fit us, because our relationship is far too complex to dilute it down into one role.

Soft whispers and gentle touches define us.

I am not leaving you. I am never leaving you.

One morning, after they woke up intertwined together, like always, there was a mark of swirls and leaves on Charlie’s right front leg, and when Merlin looked at his own body, there was one on his right bicep.

No one knew what they meant, until Merlin’s throat was slit after an ambush.

He didn’t die immediately. He choked on his own blood for at least ten minutes before he passed out, terrified of dying, hoping Charlie was safe, and would be able to recover in the end.

He woke up in a meadow filled with flowers, any signs of his violent death gone.

Before he could panic, a voice called his name.

He turned to see a being with completely dark, blue-ish gray skin.

Her hair, braided in a fishtail, long, feathered wings that almost dragged on the ground, and eyes, subtly glowing, were all completely white.

Golden earrings pierced her ears; a necklace of the same color with a red gem rested against her neck. A circlet that matched both was on her head.

Amara, goddess of life.

He immediately knelt in front of her, averting his eyes. He knew the legends, had seen paintings and murals of her. But why was she here?

Charlie appearing out of nowhere startled him. Completely forgetting about proper etiquette in front of a goddess, he ran to his dragon, stroking his fur and hugging him tightly.

Charlie hadn’t been hurt at all, unlike him. He didn’t know what had happened; he’d been trying to find him since their separation, and suddenly… he was here.

Amara had been quietly watching, smiling. She offered to explain, making both of them look at her; Merlin sheepishly apologized for his lack of decorum. She laughed and waved it off, understanding.

Charlie rested his head against his chest, and Merlin carded his fingers through his fur after they sat down. Amara explained that Merlin wasn’t going to die permanently: his heritage of being the former Anti-Christ had given him resurrective immortality. It was far more pragmatic than to make a new Anti-Christ every time one died. The markings on the two of them were from them becoming familiars, a bond of a precious animal companion and a wizard.

Charlie had received some of Merlin’s powers without them realizing it, which meant that if one of them died, they both would, and they would resurrect together. They also had a telepathic bond, like Merlin and Ganieda.

There was no spell to perform for them to become familiars. It was because they loved each other that much.

They’re still one of the only familiar pairs in the world, even now. Many wizards have animal companions, of course, but none of them have formed that bond created by a labor of love.

Art dump:

THEY ARE EVERYTHING TO ME. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.

Artist credits: HappyArt9, cat-gh0ul, NaldThal, heropaws, biposi, and honeyxmonkey!

[thekingofthenameless]

Thanks for the tag @carlos-in-glasses!

This is from Day 3 of Flufftober, Favorite Scent! I also might make it Chapter Two of The King of the Nameless eventually lol

A little snippet from likeeee the middle of it lol

Charlie:

(Later, when he was sixty, he opened his eyes for the first time and saw Merlin. Merlin, with beautiful dark brown skin and subtly glowing blue eyes with orange rings. Merlin, whose hair had been styled in thick locs even back then, only a little past shoulder length, compared to now, past knee length fully down, and with an undercut, every side of the head shaved. Merlin, whose hair was dark brown, instead of its current color, white as snow. Merlin, whose body and face hadn’t been adorned by scars yet, who’d been wearing a yellow peplos that was ankle length. Merlin, whose face bloomed into an adoring smile, eyes lighting up in joy when it was clear that he could see, taking him outside and excitedly showing him the trees, grass, the clear, bubbling brook by their house, the blue sky, quickly telling him to not directly look into the sun. But to him, even as he saw his first sunset that lit up the sky in blazes of reds and oranges and yellows, none of it was as pretty, as beautiful as Merlin.)

Tagging: @the-arson-author-gamer , @falki-of-the-vanir, and anyone else who wants to!

[thekingofthenameless]

Seven Sentence Sunday!

His acquaintance’s tone is the complete opposite of the emotions still warring within him. How do they want to punish him? What if they want to kill him? Spill his blood on the stone floor? “Charlie, where are you?” He tries to gather his thoughts as much as he can, tries to think of a way to tell his dragon that they both might die again, but it feels… harder, nearing an insurmountable task. Oblivious to the battle he’s fighting, Kennard turns back to him.

[thekingofthenameless]

NEW ART JUST DROPPED

Look at my babies!!!

Thanks so much @biposi :D

[thekingofthenameless]

LOCKED IN CHARACTER PERSONALITY RAHHH

Merlin is a romance and sex repulsed non-partnering aroace.

He’s highly empathetic, cries easily, and is as gentle and nurturing as he can be to everyone he meets. He’s also calm and mellow, quick to smile on a good day.

He prefers long, flowing outfits, (such as robes, peplos, togas, bliauts, and frocks), and he’ll always choose them if he can. He’ll also add a cape to his outfit of choice. They help excuse a regal, dignified presence, which is important for being one of the king’s top advisors.

Sometimes he’ll seem slightly formal with strangers, but on a good day where he can clock their personality, he’ll either warm up to them quickly, or distance himself, depending on the person. He has a strong sense of justice, which also makes him distrustful of authorities for the most part. (unless they’ve actually proven that they’re not just in their position for the power of it, or because of nepotism; and really do want to help people.) He’s extremely loyal to his loved ones, and protective of them, but in a worried way. He has a lot of trauma from 4000+ years of living, but is still kind because he’s not going to make people suffer just because he did.

If killing isn’t necessary, he won’t do it. (He’s usually ready for a fight because of hypervigilance, but he won’t kill until he absolutely has to, and when he does he doesn’t regret it. Ex: if he’s in a place that has guards or something, he’ll just use a sleeping spell.) He also doesn’t really do lethal injures, like head ones as much as he can; his goal is usually to incapacitate as much as possible.

His beige flag is that he’s very punctual. If you tell him to come at 5, he’ll be there at 4:30. At most. He’s also horrible at jokes. He’s just not funny as much as he tries, unless it’s unintentional.

He also wields a kickass spear, and has a tongue piercing. >:)

[thekingofthenameless]

I'm so happy how those fanarts of Merlin turned out! You made two really compelling characters there. Charlie looks so comforting! I discovered that quite a lot seems to have changed about your design of the old Merl' now... I'm curious, why'd that happen? :)

Thanks for the ask!

I’m happy with the art too! I love Merlin and Charlie so much 😭🥰

I can’t exactly be credited for the designs lol, since I only provided reference images for the artists I commissioned for Merlin, and got Charlie as an adoptable from Ko-Fi. A lot of my ocs are adoptables, actually, since I love taking a beautiful design that someone else made and making them my own character, y’know?

Charlie is indeed very comforting, especially to Merlin as his familiar, companion, and family all in one. In some ways, I think he could qualify as an Emotional Support Animal? :) I like to imagine his fur is very thick and soft, and double coated like some dogs!

So I’m not sure if you know, but I got extremely burnt out from Daylight’s Redemption: Emerald Embers for several months, and also unintentionally took a hiatus from Tumblr and most social media in general?

But then in December, I finally felt like I’d taken a long enough break. I was ready to visit EE again, and it wasn’t long before I decided to make it my own thing!

I kept Charlie’s design the same, because how could you change anything about an amazing design like his?

For Merlin, however, I went back to the drawing board. Him being ambiguously brown instead of any confirmed race was eh. Not good.

I’m pretty sure I got the inspiration for him being black from both the Merlin in Once Upon A Time and an artist I commissioned for Daylight’s Redemption!Merlin accidentally coloring him as black for the first color test? I don’t remember 😞💀

Either way, I went to Pinterest and started getting references, and got his first commission in January! I got his design slightly revamped in June.

Pictures of his progression:

ToA Merlin:

DR!Merlin:

TKN Merlin (original and current design):

These are quite literally three different people lmao 🤣

Artist credits: undeadchestnut, honeyxmonkey, HappyArt9, and cat-gh0ul!

[thekingofthenameless]

Seven Sentence Sunday!

A little blurb of Unforgivable. 👀

[Merlin] struggles in vain to remember something, anything. His memory is shit, (has been even before his madness started) but it’s never been this bad. Did they give him some kind of mind wiping spell or potion? If they did, it had to have been a spell; no taste of anything foreign is in his mouth. They must not want him to know the journey here. A cold sense of dread grips him. He gets paranoid thoughts often; he admits it, but there’s nothing good about taking someone captive and wiping their mind so they won’t know where you took them.

[thekingofthenameless]

🧠 and ❗ for Merlin?

Thanks for the ask!!

🧠 - What is their stress response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn?

Honestly, it depends on the situation. If he knows his loved ones are alright, and can’t/won’t be used against him, he’ll fight like hell. In the oneshot I’m writing that takes place before the main story, (Unforgivable.), his fear responses are freezing and flight (if he could run, anyway). He and Charlie have been separated, and worry for his familiar, along with the fear of what his captors will do to him, make him far less willing to fight back. Especially when they start threatening Charlie’s safety if he doesn’t cooperate…

❗- What are the highest priorities to this oc (at a point in their life of your choosing)?

In Unforgivable., his priorities are undoing his magical suppressants, escaping his captors, and finding Charlie.

[thekingofthenameless]

What does Merlin say when king Pendragon says something stupid?

"It's Uther nonsense!"

LMAOOO YEAH

Thanks for the ask! :D