#arthur finds out about merlin's magic

[skyetorrin]

Whumptober 2022 - Prompt No. 3

No. 3 (BBC Merlin) Hair’s Breadth From Death

Gun To Temple | “Say Goodbye.” | Impaled

Summary: While Merlin is out getting herbs for Gaius he gets ambushed by Bandits. Arthur senses that he is danger because they are "two sides of the same coin" and comes to rescue him.

Content Warnings: None

Additional Notes: Arthur and Merlin can be either romantic or platonic in this. Technically a soulmate AU where you can feel the pain your soulmate is feeling and locate them once you both turn 21.

@whumptober-archive

Also posted on ao3 here.

Merlin was out gathering herbs for Gaius. For real this time. It was relatively quiet on the sorcerer front. Maybe they were giving him a break since it was his birthday. Probably not but still. One could hope.

Anyway, back to the task at hand. Merlin walked around the forest gathering random herbs when he came across a beautiful meadow. The sun was shining through the trees and the air was just crisp enough to be refreshing.

He decided he was allowed to rest a bit and laid his back against one of the trees at the edge of the clearing. Although it was getting closer to winter, he could still feel the magic practically vibrating in the forest around him.

It was peaceful. For the first time in a long time, he felt relaxed. Of course, it didn’t last very long. He felt something tickling the edge of his senses. A person. Most likely a bandit.

He kept his eyes closed until he sensed the bandit about 5 feet away. He ‘woke up’ acting like he didn’t know the bandit was there. The bandit rushed in and Merlin decided to use his magic. He was far to tired for this and no one else was around.

The bandit dropped to the ground and Merlin walked over to where he had left his basket. Just as he bent down to grab it, he felt a swell of new energy enter his senses. Probably around 25 people. But something was off. They weren’t far away. They were right next to him.

The next thing he knew, he was on the ground with an arrow in his stomach and yelling out in pain. It must have been poisoned because his vision was starting to blacken around the edges.

This was unexpected. And to think. He had been having a pretty good day.

He felt something cold clamp around his wrists and felt his magic retreating deep within him. Cold iron. If he was lucid enough he would have cursed. Unfortunately he was having a hard enough time keeping his eyes open, much less speaking.

He must have passed out at some point because he when he opened his eyes next he was in some kind of cart thing and wasn’t in the meadow any more. His eyes fluttered shut once more before he heard a noise.

“MERLIN” He could vaguely registered the sound of Arthur calling his name. He probably forgot to polish his armor again or something.

Arthur rushed in, slashing though the bandits like they were nothing. Unfortunately, they kept on coming and he was quickly overwhelming him.

His magic started reacting before he could stop it, blasting the cold iron off his wrists and filling the space around him. It flung the bandits back and burst open the cage he was in. He could just barely make out a blurry Arthur in front of him, his mouth wide open in shock.

“You’re welcome sire.” Merlin said, before promptly collapsing. Arthur, who had just recovered from his shock, dashed forward just in time to catch Merlin before he crashing into the ground below them.

“You’re hurt.” Merlin looked down at his stomach.

“Oh. I suppose you’re right. I forgot about that. I don’t suppose you have any bandages with you?”

“Can’t you just heal yourself?”

“Wish I could. I’m absolutely rubbish at healing spells though.” Arthur made a displeased sound and promptly picked him up.

“Fine. I’m taking you back to Gaius then. And don’t you dare die before we get there you idiot.”

“As you wish prat.” Merlin paused for a second. “You really don’t care that I’m a warlock then?”

“As long as you’re alive, I don’t care what you are.”

[what-am-i-even-doing-tho]

October Drabble Challenge 2023

Day 10- Blind

"He had always known that he needed Merlin like he needed air to breathe."

[justaz]

merlin’s secret being a visual thing. when he is around arthur or gwen or leon or morgana or [insert whatever character here] merlin seems pale and thin, almost like a ghost or an apparition. when the sun lands on him he reflects it like a corpse, he eyes seem dark and dull. he has this ethereal beauty to him, this otherworldly visage that leads many to believe he is of fae blood. he just doesn’t seem to be 100% human. but when he is ONLY with lancelot or gaius (cough or gwaine bc gwaine DEFINITELY knew) merlin is heartachingly human. merlin shines in the sunlight, colors are brighter and more vibrant around him, and his smiles are wide and his laughs are boisterous. he takes on color and leaves everyone wanting to know him. but when other join in or interact with the two, merlin shifts before their eyes so quickly and suddenly that they aren’t sure whether or not what they saw was a trick of the light. the idea still leaves them wanting more and wanting to see the merlin who is just so full of life but that merlin only appears for a small select group of people. merlin who has a guard so high that it has an effect of other’s perception of him.

[rainbowsmagicandshit]

Merlin Prompt/Idea:

Arthur calls a meeting of his inner round table (those that sat with him at the table of the ancient kings) except Merlin. He also tells everyone else not to tell Merlin. At this meeting they decide that Merlin will have a seat at the Royal Round Table.

Why is Merlin getting an official seat at the official and highly sought after Royal Round Table?

Because Arthur wants to marry him, of course!

This is step one to getting all the stuck up nobles to except Merlin as Arthur’s choice of spouse.

Does Merlin know that that’s Arthur’s intention with his appointment? No.

Does Merlin know that Arthur wants to marry him? No.

Does Merlin even know that Arthur has feelings for him? No.

Is Merlin increasing frustrated that he keeps getting excluded from half of the inner circle meetings despite gaining a seat at the official one? Yes.

Is Merlin going to give Arthur a piece of his mind once finds out that this entire roundabout thing was just a plot to get him as his husband? Undoubtedly.

Is Merlin going to be completely badass and show his capability as “queen” despite not knowing what’s going on? Absolutely.

What are the next steps?

[idkaguyorsomething]

me searching through bbc merlin fanart and fics for the heart of the show.

(IMAGE ID: Doomguy in a red area fighting off hordes of monsters, captioned “WHERE IS GUINEVERE”)

[ink-through-her-veins]

One day Merlin uses his magic to save a child. It’s impossible to hide it. Arthur is right there. Merlin’s shocked that Arthur isn’t. He’s wrecked and sad like the world has split apart or the ground crumbled beneath him.

“Arthur-“

“Don’t.”

They return to Camelot in silence. Arthur’s face is unreadable. Merlin’s heart breaks with every kilometer they travel. They arrive in Camelot at dusk.

“Arthur?”

“Say your goodbyes and leave.”

It’s better than Merlin could have hoped for, but he had hoped. He’d hoped that Arthur would understand. He’d hoped that Arthur would forgive him. He’d hoped Arthur had known him. He’d hoped for a chance to explain. He’d only wanted all the parts of him to be known—to be accepted.

Merlin’s goodbyes are tear-filled. They are heart wrenching, but the goodbye he doesn’t get to say hurts the worst.

A horse awaits him in the courtyard. Arthur’s doing undoubtedly. A little bit of Merlin clings to hope even as he lifts himself into the saddle.

Arthur thinks he’s hidden well enough in the shadows to not be spotted. He isn’t. Merlin sees him and their eyes hold each other’s until the silence feels like a knife twisting in their chests.

“It doesn’t end like this,” Merlin tells him. “We don’t end like this.”

Arthur doesn’t argue, but deep down he knows that Merlin’s right.

[the-sexy-purple-man]

Hey I’m trying to find a fix that’s a rewrite of season 4 after Uther kicks the bucket where instead of courting Gwen, Arthur courts Merlin. It follows the events of all the episodes the same but with Merthur and the Lancelot Du Lac episode is instead Merlin is like “fuck we’re engaged and I haven’t told Arthur about my magic yet!” And then Arthur sends him to Ealdor when he does but it’s nice happy ending!

Sorry if I’m not very clear with my explaining but if anyone knows the fic I will die for you 😊

[marya-blackbone]

"Show me your real face," Arthur says one day – almost out of the blue, save for the fact that he spent the better part of the week stealing careful looks at the warlock whenever he thought he could get away with it. 

But Arthur is not a subtle man. Nor a particularly well-informed one – at least, not on the subject of magic. As such, Merlin is drawing a blank. "This is my real face," he says, frowning.

Arthur doesn't buy it. The thing is, he's read a lot about magic these last few months, but it wasn't until he stumbled onto a book about glamour that things started looking rather suspect.

"So you're telling me," Arthur says, in the same tone he uses when he doesn't really believe Merlin has bothered to clean the stables, "you were born with those cheekbones."

[seokjinite]

its just . harder and harder for my man to hide it

[sungsuho]

merthur shippers are so bold because by admitting you ship merthur you admit you dont know how to analyze media at all

[lover-of-midnight]

Proof of live

Merlin muttered under his breath, cursing stupid dragons and their prophecies. And yet somehow someway the stupid scaly lizard couldn’t see this happening. Everything else yes sure. But the one where he couldn’t keep Arthur safe.

Not without some sort of warning. No that was simply too much to ask for.

With a sigh, he came to a stop. He knows deep in his heart that there was no one to blame. No one could have seen this happening. So now the only course of action was to get this letter to Uther and hope the bastard will try and keep Arthur safe for a change.

Merlin came to a halt in front of the doors to the throne room, his heart was pounding in his ears and he wondered if he actually would be able to speak.

The guards gave him a nod as they pushed the heavy doors open. Merlin swallowed as he walked to the king, his mouth dry as he just handed him the letter.

The silence that was in the room was enough to make the most of them quiver as the auror around the king steadily ran colder.

“Ring the bells, the prince is missing.” His voice was sharp. “Boy come with me.” He didn’t look back to see if Merlin would follow.

The guards ran to get the word out, whispers breaking out in every corner as everyone wonders what just happen.

Merlin kept his head down as he followed the King to his chambers, his heart was thumping so loudly that he couldn’t help but wonder if the King could hear it.

The king was silent for a few seconds when they reach his chambers, pacing up and down. A deep frown on his face as he turned to Merlin. “Do you know where my son is?” There was a calm in his voice that made Merlin’s hair stand on end.

“No Sire.” The words easily slipped through Merlin’s lips as he just gave the King a confused look.

“Listen boy, the only reason you are not dead is that Arthur cares about you. And you keep his safe and sane. He is a better man since he met you.” Uther turned around to face the boy properly. “But I know about your magic. It is the only way that Arthur could survive some of these quests he was sent on.”

“So I will ask again, do you know where my son is?” Uther forced himself to breathe. It was slightly easier to breathe again as if a weight was lifted from his shoulder.

“I don’t Sire. I can try and use a scry to see if he is still alive.” Merlin’s voice was quiet, his hands shook slightly.

“What do you need for it?” Uther’s eyes were hard as he looked at the boy. Sitting down in his chair.

“A relatively deep bowl and water.” Merlin stood straight as he just looked at the King, wondering if he would allow him to do the scry on his own. But just as the thought popped up he pushed it away again. There is no way that Uther would allow that.

Uther pulled a string and it was barely two minutes before he a servant was in the room, bowing low as they shuffled in. “Please bring a deep bowl and a pitcher of water to fill the bowl here.” Uther’s voice was low as he spoke. With a slight wave of hand, he dismissed the servant.

The silence that settled over them was uncomfortable. Merlin pushed his toes slightly into the floor as he wondered where Arthur is.  Whether they are keeping him moderately safe or if he was injured.

When the knock came, Merlin went to answer the door. He gave a slight thanks as he allowed them to step into the room, placing down the bowl and two pitchers on a table. The two servants rushed from the room.

“Start boy.” Uther kept his eyes on Merlin, making it clear he won’t take a step back in this.

Merlin forced the shaking from his hands as he filled the bowl with water. He glanced for a moment at Uther before he started the spell, his eyes glowed gold. He could feel his magic rushing almost like it started a search.

The chanting soon reached a point where they would be able to see something in the water, Merlin could feel sweat dripping down his neck as he took a step back. His eyes are on the picture in the bowl.

It was silent for a second before he started throwing up. Uther not used to seeing the boy like that rush to the bowl. He could faintly see movement from his son, but for the most part, he looked like a bloody mess. Trying to make himself as small as possible in a corner.

His eyes scanned the rest of the surroundings trying to see if he could figure out where his son is. When Merlin pushed himself upright. “I can do a tracing spell, we won’t find him otherwise.” His voice was rough.

“I will gather the knights and guards, get Gaius.” Uther turned around ignoring the mess as he moved out. “We will meet you and Gaius in the courtyard.” His eyes harden slightly. Whoever did this, they will pay.

Merlin was silent as he road behind the guards. He glanced every now and then to Gaius wondering what would happen when they come back. And then he couldn’t help but feel guilty that he is feeling like this.

The only worry he now needed to do was focus on getting to Arthur and making sure that he was fine and alive. After that, he could worry about what would happen to him.

Merlin wasn’t completely sure when they stopped but he could feel some sense of relief when he saw the building. His magic finally stopped bussing like mad. They were here.

Uther glanced at Merlin, who only nodded at him.

With a small hand movement, the knights moved forward starting to search for the prince, Merlin following behind.  The place was huge, and it took them almost half an hour before they found the prince locked in a basement.

Merlin pushed past Leon to where Arthur was lying on the floor. Blood pooling beneath him, it almost looked like a murder scene. Merlin swallowed as he kneeled. He didn’t even bother to glance at the knights or the king as his eyes started to glow gold.

Focusing on healing all the wounds his magic could find. He could faintly hear screaming behind him and then Gaius's voice calming down Uther. He could feel sweat dripping down his neck.

When he finally could take a step back, Merlin thought that he would just pass out and be done with it but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel relief that Arthur would be fine. He survived somehow someway.

He stayed alive until this point even with all the blood he lost, he will – he must make a recovery. There was no other choice.

Gaius crouched down next to them. “Are you okay?” He kept his voice low as he spoke with Merlin.

“Just tired, Arthur will survive?” The question was clear for anyone that listened.

“It will take some time and he will be weak as his body tries and replenished the blood it lost, but he should make a recovery.” Gaius kept his voice easy, calming down Merlin but at the same time informing the King of what is going on.

“Merlin the king won’t do anything yet, keep to Arthur,” Gaius whispered the last part as he forced himself upright. Knowing that now they were just at the mercy of the king. It will all depend on what Arthur would want to do.

Merlin closed his eyes for a brief second as he sat down next to Arthur, wondering how long it would take. So much magic was needed to heal his wounds. And why did they take him? Uther had started laying off from his stupid hunt against magic users, there was almost peace in the kingdom.

So why now? And who?

Merlin could faintly hear someone talking in the back, telling Uther that the place was cleared out.

So they just tortured him and then left him for dead.

Without thought Merlin’s ran his fingers through Arthur’s hair, vowing that he would do everything in his power to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Even if it means he would need to do it from the woods.

Knowing that he might be executed. He would rather run and work from the shadows than allow anything to happen to Arthur.

[mudinyourshoes]

I stand by my conviction that Arthur should have stepped down when he learned that Morgana was his sister. The show should have ended with Morgana as queen, Gwen as queen consort, and Arthur and Merlin as their royal knight and sorcerer, defenders of the queens' peace

[grumpyandbutch]

foreigners god is so merthur

[bowties-and-warlocks]

I hate it here

[justaz]

country bumpkin merlin not knowing anything about city life and accidentally courting arthur without knowing

merlin, watching gwen give lancelot her favor: why do you do that

gwen, heart eyes at lance and not paying that much attention to the conversation: so he knows i’m rooting for him

merlin, with an Idea: ah.

gwaine, lover of chaos, pisser offer of nobles and royals alike, ultimate wingman: merlin…you have such lonely lips. shall i introduce them to mine?

merlin, unaware of the game gwaine is playing: so you can steal my breath away? i think not, scoundrel

arthur, crushing his goblet in his hand:

merlin: arthur’s been in a bad mood recently :( i should cheer him up

merlin, remembering when arthur was put out when merlin brought morgana flowers and not him: i know just the thing

merlin, bringing a bouquet of carnations, roses, and tulips and setting them on arthur’s table while he’s eating breakfast: good morning, sire

arthur, trained on flower language in hopes that one day when he was to take a queen he could woo her easily, trying not to audibly choke on his sausage as he reads merlin’s declaration of love sitting in front of him:

arthur, who recently found out about merlin’s magic and was trying to find a way to bring it up, catching him in the act and watching merlin panic to explain himself:

merlin, Freaking: and i swear to you arthur, i have only ever used it for you. my magic is yours. my life is yours. i am yours. i would never do anything to harm you. i have protected you for years and will continue to do so at your side if you’ll have me

arthur, already believing them to be courting, desperately trying to figure out if that was a proposal for marriage or not but tired of being confused and deciding fuck it: here.

merlin, taking it: i…uh…huh?

arthur, watching merlin with hawk eyes and trying to figure out what he’s thinking and feeling: it’s my mothers sigil

merlin, confused as FUCK but is focusing on the fact that arthur is handing him something of his mother rather than a death sentence: my…my lord?

arthur, realizing how scared merlin’s must be about him finding out about his magic and trying to comfort him while also proposing, killing two birds with one stone: i will always keep you at my side, merlin, so long as we both shall live. if you’ll allow me.

merlin, almost collapsing with relief and tearing up, smiling at arthur as if he had parted the storm clouds to allow sun to shine down on them in that moment: of course…of course, arthur. always and forever.

merlin, watching the castle staff rush this way and that: wow. this banquet must be incredibly important

sir leon the long suffering, day one ride or die, one of the original merthur shippers: banquet? merlin, this is for your wedding

merlin, overworked and exhausted: my WHAT? to WHO??

leon, regretting everything he’s ever done in his life that led him to this moment: to…arthur?

merlin, over joyed but also absolutely befuddled: i’m getting married to ARTHUR?????

leon: you two have been courting for the past year or so, have you not?

merlin: i’ve been COURTING ARTHUR?????? FOR A YEAR?????????

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Y’know that one scene in A Servant of Two Masters where Merlin tells Leon he’s off to kill the king and Leon just laughs

What if Merlin realises how much power that actually has and just starts telling Leon the truth instead of coming up with excuses

Like

Leon: Hey Merlin, where are you off to?

Merlin: Just going to fight a gryphon!

Leon: ha! Have fun!

Or

Leon: Merlin, why do you have highly illegal poison?

Merlin: it’s only poison mixed with alcohol, otherwise it’s just great sidhe repellent!

Leon, chuckling fondly: Alright, as you were then.

Or

Leon: Merlin! Where were you?

Merlin: nowhere interesting, just practicing sorcery.

And Leon believes he’s just keeping the gag going every time.

Which also makes the poetry scene so much better because Leon is used to Merlin being funny, never giving proper excuses and joking about high treason crimes.

So when Merlin is so flustered that he blurts out poetry, the only possible explanation can be that something Merthur is happening and Leon wants no part in it.

It also got me thinking about post Camlan when Merlin and Arthur get back to Camelot (I’m in denial, shut up) when Leon finds out Merlin has magic.

He waits at the gates for Merlin with his arms folded looking like a disappointed mother, then Merlin stops and realises every one of his “excuses” came back to bite him in the arse.

Until Leon has to explain to Arthur that he’s known Merlin is a sorcerer for a while now, but always thought it was a joke because “it’s Merlin”

Merlin: in my defence, I never lied.

Leon: you confessed to multiple crimes!

Merlin: you let me get away with them!

Arthur: huh?

Leon: Sire, I can explain.

Merlin: can you?

Leon: can you?!

I’m tempted to turn this into a fanfic if anyone would want to read it

It’s out now on Ao3 - The One Where Leon Knowingly and Unknowingly Becomes an Accomplice to Treason