#arthur pendragon long may she reign

[mothmage]

lesbian arthur pendragon….i have not forgotten you….. (via this Picrew)

[helloalycia]

the king’s ward [one] // morgana pendragon

summary: when you and your brother travel to Camelot to compete in a fighting competition, there's one problem: women can't fight. So, naturally, you convince him to switch places with you whilst you have your chance to fight. And impressing the King's Ward is merely a bonus.

warning/s: mentions of fighting and violence.

author's note: hello! so this was impulse written not long ago when i rewatched merlin bc who doesn't love katie mcgrath? it's inspired by that merlin ep where arthur uses a decoy in his jousting (?) match! and it's kind of like she's the man if you think about it haha, so do enjoy! it's a multi-part imagine :)

two / three / four / masterlist / wattpad

"This is gonna be amazing, Y/B/N," I said with a grin, trying to contain my excitement as we approached the tournament grounds.

"Reign it in," he said lightheartedly, though I knew he was right. I wasn't supposed to be competing, he was, so I had to play the part.

Every year, Camelot held a fighting tournament that anybody could compete in, even those who weren't knights. There were no rules and it was an open competition, however despite nothing explicitly saying women couldn't compete, it was a given. And so every year, I only dreamt of competing so that I could see if I was as good as I hoped. Finally, I came up with the genius idea for my brother, Y/B/N, to pretend to compete whilst I actually did the fighting. It wasn't foolproof, but I was desperate, and he agreed after much convincing.

We'd arrived in Camelot last night, our first ever visit to the kingdom, and were staying in the full to-the-brim tavern in a room above the pub. It wasn't ideal, but it would do the job. The real reason I was here was right before me and I couldn't be more excited.

"Y/B/N Y/L/N?" a voice called, and my brother and I both spun around to see a servant boy approaching. "You're up first. You can use the tent over there to get into your armour, if you have any."

"Thank you," Y/B/N said with a nod before we both headed over to his – AKA mine – tent.

"This is perfect for making the switch," I said with a contained grin, looking around the enclosed space.

"You heard the boy, you're up first," Y/B/N said with a smile, before dropping our bag on the bench. "Let's get you suited up."

He helped me pull my armour over the top of my clothes, a bulky-looking but lightweight set that fit us both and was easy enough for me to manoeuvre in whilst also hiding any distinguishable feminine body parts that could give me away. After that, he handed me my sword and gave me a supportive nod.

"Good luck out there," he said, my helmet in his hand. "You're gonna smash it, sis."

I grinned. "I will indeed. They aren't going to know what's hit them."

He laughed and helped me put on my helmet, the metal covering my whole head except for some slits in the eyes to let me see.

"You ready?" he asked once more, and I gave him a thumbs up, already committing to staying quiet. He patted my back. "Go and win!"

Taking a deep breath, I left the tent and headed to the grounds, the sight of all those people watching only exciting me more. All I'd ever dreamt of was showing people my skills, for them to take me seriously. Not as a woman or a man, but a fighter. And this was my chance, finally. I wasn't going to let it slip by.

"I'm sure you're all excited about the tournament, as am I," the King began to speak, silencing everyone in seconds. "It's going to be a magnificent week of fighting, skill and talent. We shall see who the best fighters of Albion truly are. Starting with our first match of the tournament – Y/B/N Y/L/N versus Henry Wright!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as my opponent and I walked in the centre, our chosen weapons at our side. The King looked down at us both with anticipation, waiting for quiet. And then when he was ready, he raised his hand.

"You may begin," was all he said, and I barely had chance to take a breath before my opponent, Henry, swung first.

His mace, spiked and heavy, almost took my head off if I didn't move in time. The crowd 'ooh'd' as it did and I tried to tune them out, focusing on the fight. I couldn't afford distractions.

As Henry kept moving forward, slashing his mace at me and trying to touch my armour, I dodged effortlessly. Henry may have been strong, but he was slow, and his weapon of choice was particularly terrible. Once he'd worn himself out, it was my turn to take a swing at him, my sword coming down on his gauntlets in a wide arc. Contact was made and he grunted loudly, grossly, and stepped back. I slashed a few more times, to which he was now on the defensive, using his clunky weapon as a barrier. But it didn't faze me as I kept on slashing, trying to back him into the side.

Once he was trapped, I let him take a shot at me, only to roll to the side at the last second and swipe his legs out from beneath him. He hit the ground as quickly as I directed my sword at his neck. Lifting his hands in defeat, I couldn't fight the grin from my lips.

The crowd erupted into cheers, yelling my brother's name, and I lowered my sword before offering out my hand. Henry let me pull him up before letting go bitterly, walking off the grounds. I laughed to myself before looking around me at the crowd, waving a little too cockily. I couldn't help it – I'd won! My first match!

When I turned to face the King, I saw he was clapping in his chair, impressed at my handiwork. Seated beside him was his ward, Morgana, and I'd heard so much of her but never seen her before. I wasn't prepared for her beauty, nor the vibrancy of her green eyes in the sun, even from a distance. And once again, I couldn't help but let my cockiness get the better of me. Between waving, I blew her a kiss, facing her directly in a way that I hoped she knew it was for her. Judging from the way she immediately turned pink in the face, I knew I'd succeeded.

After soaking in the glory a moment longer, I left to return to Y/B/N who was waiting for me in the tent. As soon as he saw me, a grin was on his face.

"Sounds like you gave them a good show," he commented as I rushed to remove my helmet and armour.

"Y/B/N, it was like nothing I've ever experienced," I admitted, still buzzing with adrenaline and excitement. "It was perfect. And you should've seen the way I got the other guy on his butt!"

He chuckled as I helped pull the armour onto him. "I'm sure it was something special. It's a shame I can't watch."

"We can't risk you being caught," I reminded him, before handing my sword and helmet. "Go on. Do your final waves. Don't forget to rub it in their face that I won, yeah?"

He rolled his eyes playfully. "I'm not doing that."

I laughed as he left the tent. My smile was permanent as I stood alone. One round down, several more to go.

"The other guys are pretty rough," Y/B/N said as we hung back to watch the other matches and get a better feel for the competition. "You sure you're up for it?"

"Don't even joke," I said to him with a knowing look. "You know it's all I want. They don't scare me."

He raised his eyebrows. "Hey, I was thinking more about them. They're gonna get smothered and not even know it. You don't wanna give them a chance?"

A smile grew on my lips as I shoved him in the side. "You're so stupid."

He mirrored my smile before paying attention to the fights. We stayed there until the last fight before chatting about what we'd seen by the tents. The crowd was dispersing and the other fighters were talking about getting a drink at the tavern, even inviting my brother to join them. He found it strange, the attention, especially since he knew it wasn't for him. I assured him he had to be a team player and not raise suspicion, but he wasn't impressed.

As we were chatting, I couldn't help but notice a blur of black hair in my peripheral vision, and when I looked, I saw the Lady Morgana walking by with her handmaiden. She spotted my brother and I and, naturally, her attention was on my brother. She flashed him a smile, to which he awkwardly returned, and then began to approach us.

"Er, why is the Lady Morgana coming to talk to us?" Y/B/N asked nervously.

"No idea," I said, though my own smile was tempting to break out as my eyes wandered over her figure. She was seriously stunning.

"Hello there," Morgana spoke when she stopped before us. "It's Y/B/N, right?"

He nodded slowly, before clearing his throat and bowing. "A pleasure to meet you, my lady."

"Please, no need for the formalities," she said with a slight laugh, one that I knew I'd be dreaming of for days. "I just came to say that you put up a good fight this morning. I look forward to seeing your performance throughout the week."

"Thank you, my lady," was all he said, and I almost rolled my eyes at his dense self. Couldn't he see she was interested him?

"And who is this pretty lady?" she continued, and I realised she was speaking to me.

"I'm Y/N, my lady," I introduced myself with a smile. "Y/B/N's twin sister. Not identical, thankfully."

Y/B/N rolled his eyes as Morgana laughed at my joke.

"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Y/N," she said, eyes lingering on mine. "Might I say, you have a very talented brother."

I hummed in agreement, biting my tongue and trying not to laugh. Talented... I'd take it.

"I should be going, but have a good evening, both of you," Morgana finished, glancing between us before leaving.

"Y/N, what did you do? Why is she suddenly interested?" Y/B/N asked as I watched her walk away, entranced.

"Nothing," I reassured him, before tearing my gaze from Morgana and looking to Y/B/N. "What? I didn't do anything!"

He rolled his eyes and shoved me before walking away. I bit my lip to contain a grin and skipped after him. I was beginning to like it here.

The next fight was soon upon me and it was safe to say that I was nailing it. My opponent was supposed to be a challenge, but I could swear it was only getting easier. He was over six feet tall and towering over me. Compared to me AKA Y/B/N, he was huge. Luckily for me, height wasn't an issue as my brother and I were close enough in height, a solid five foot eight and nine respectively, so it wouldn't give us away.

The fight was over in minutes, with me landing a winning blow to my clown of an opponent, right in the gut. As soon as he was down, the crowd were up and out of their seats, cheering me on. The intensity of their cheering surprised me at first, as I didn't realise they loved me so much. It took them longer to calm down, and a few flowers were thrown from the stands, making me grin as I waved at them. When I looked to the King, he was surprisingly smiling as he clapped his leather-gloved hands heavily. Morgana was stood up beside him, clapping with the crowd, and I couldn't stop myself.

Without thinking, I picked up a flower from the ground, dusted it off on my armour and threw it up to her. I was relieved when it landed at her feet, worried I'd missed, and she seemed surprised as she picked it up. When she looked at me, I bowed respectfully, making the crowd cheer even louder, and I tried to pretend I couldn't see King Uther losing his smile as he looked at me with suspicion. Oops?

I jogged back to the tent, feeling lightweight and overwhelmingly happy. Y/B/N clapped me on the back in congratulations before we exchanged gear and he headed back out to reveal his face, waving once more.

After he soaked in the glory for a little longer, I packed up our things and we left the tent to get some water. A few knights, to our surprise, approached us and began chatting to Y/B/N about his technique. He played along perfectly, since he was a decent fighter himself, and I merely watched as they spoke of my moves and skill, grinning to myself. Clearly I was doing better than I thought if the knights of Camelot were complimenting me.

"Hey, Y/B/N," a voice called from behind, and we both turned to see a flirtatiously-smiling Morgana walking past. She nodded at my brother, saying, "The flower was cute."

Poor Y/B/N was clueless. "The flower?"

Morgana laughed, thinking he was joking, and left. I suppressed a smile as we both turned to the knights. One of them gave Y/B/N a knowing look.

"Bold move giving the King's ward a flower right in front of the King himself," they said with a snicker, before leaving.

Y/B/N blinked and began to turn to me. "I did what?"

I smiled sheepishly. "What? She was impressed by my skill! How could I resist?"

"Y/N!"

"Look, she's pretty and she deserved it, okay?" I said nonchalantly. "It's no biggie."

He facepalmed and I could tell he was already regretting changing places with me.

Later that same evening, Y/B/N and I were making the most of the training grounds that Prince Arthur was letting the contestants use for the week. To everyone else, I was merely practicing with him, but to us, he was actually helping me practice. 

For the third time in five minutes, I knocked Y/B/N on his butt and laughed at the expression on his face.

"C'mon, at least give me some sort of challenge," I teased, holding out my hand for him.

He let me help him up as he gave me a knowing look. "Don't be too good or people will suspect."

I scoffed. "Nobody will think twice about me."

"Oh yeah, because you're so inconspicuous dressed like that," he said sarcastically.

I ignored him, though I knew he was only looking out for me. Ladies wore frocks and dresses, not pants and shirts. But I didn't like to be restricted – why was that such a bad thing? I hated that I had to put myself in a box just to make others feel comfortable. It wasn't fair.

"Are you ready?" I asked, readying my sword.

He nodded and did the same before coming at me without warning. I held my own well enough, even with him giving his all, and with the utmost satisfaction, I managed to land him on his butt yet again. He narrowed his eyes at me and I began to laugh before pissing him off that little bit more by twiddling the hilt of my sword on my forefinger in the air, watching it spin before catching it. It was a silly little celebratory move I liked to do, one that Y/B/N hated because it usually meant I had beaten him.

Grumbling to himself, Y/B/N helped himself stand up as I watched on with amusement.

"Impressive."

Surprised, I turned around and definitely didn't expect to see the Lady Morgana approaching us.

"You're almost as good as your brother," she commented, looking at me.

Smile fading slightly, I tried not to draw anymore attention to myself. "Something like that."

She lifted a brow curiously. "It's a shame you couldn't compete. You're better than half the men in this competition."

"It's just how it is, my lady. The King's rules," I said, though I was secretly smiling because she thought I was good. As me, the real me, not my brother.

"If it were up to me, I'd have loved to watch you fight," she said, making me smile to myself. I risked glancing at her and saw she was watching me with her own smile, before looking to my brother.

"Good luck tomorrow," she said to him considerately.

"Thank you, my lady," Y/B/N said, bowing.

She nodded her head at him before catching my staring, offering a smile, then leaving.

"Gosh, she's so pretty," I said, unable to look away from her.

"Not here, not now," Y/B/N said in a warning tone before slapping me on the back.

"I'm gonna win just to see her smile," I decided, finally looking away from her retreating figure.

Y/B/N rolled his eyes, shaking his head with disbelief. I raised an eyebrow challengingly.

"Another round?"

"No way," he said immediately, making me laugh as I watched him walk away.

"Like you always do," I whispered to myself as I stood face to face with my next opponent. "Come on."

My opponent carried a sword and shield and was very good with both, as I'd seen him using it these past few days. Probably the first real challenge I had, I was a little nervous, but one look at my sword reminded me why I was here and what I was capable of. I wasn't going to let this man throw me off.

As we fought, I quickly realised he wasn't going to tire out easily. As quick as he was skilful, he dodged all of my slashes, blocked all of my stabs and avoided all of my feigned shots. He was too good, keeping me on my toes. I was growing tired as the minutes dragged on and he knew this, using it as his opportunity to slam his shield against me, knocking me back. I tuned out the audience's reactions, shaking my head to get back into it.

I let him believe he was going in for a strike before rolling out the way and slashing the back of his legs. He groaned as he spun around, blocking my next hit. This seemed to piss him off as he came at me quick and hard, striking every second and driving me further and further backwards. One sturdy hit with his shield and I was on my back. Just as he tried to strike me, I rolled out the way and stood up, putting some distance between us.

Collecting myself, I saw that he pulled his shield over him once more and knew I needed to use that to my advantage. He wasn't going to let it go, no matter how hard I hit it. And I was already growing tired, my body battered and bruised, my energy depleting. If he kept going like this, he'd surely win. And I couldn't let him.

A stupid idea came to my head and I figured it was worth a shot if I was already losing. Why not?

Running directly at my opponent, I watched as he tucked in, shield up and ready to block my hit. Just when he was about to shove it towards me, I used the momentum to jump on it, over his head and hitting the ground, just about. I was so shocked it worked that I almost forgot to use his own surprise to my advantage. Without wasting a second, I spun around and smacked the hilt of my sword at the back of his head, knocking him to the ground. Worried I'd hit him too hard, I kneeled down to listen in.

When he let out a breath, I sighed with relief and stood up, eyes closing for a moment. Then the stands shook as everyone stood up, cheering and yelling and clapping, and I opened my eyes with a smile. As I waved my sword hand in the air, bowing, the cheering only intensified and I couldn't stop grinning. Admittedly, the thrill of it all got to my head and I began to show off, waving to the crowd on all sides. Just because I could, I twiddled my sword on the tip of my gloved forefinger in the air and threw it up before catching it by the hilt. The crowd seemed to love it and a grin was permanently fixed on my face as I left the grounds to return to my tent.

"That's the loudest I've ever heard them," Y/B/N said as soon as he saw me. "What did you do?"

"Whatever I could," I said between a laugh, before pulling off my helmet. "Get me out of this, I'm so hot."

He chuckled and helped me out of it, and I helped him into it as usual. Giving him his sword and helmet, I sent him off before taking a deep breath and drinking lots of water. My body was aching and there were definitely bruises all along my legs and chest, but I didn't care because that was insane. How the hell did I manage that?! Whatever it was, it was incredible and I couldn't wait to do it again in my next fight.

Y/B/N returned after soaking in the glory, pulling off the armour and ready to help me pack it all away, but to both of our surprises, Prince Arthur walked in the tent.

"Hello," he greeted awkwardly, before looking to Y/B/N. "You fought excellently today. I wanted to ask if you'd have a word with me outside."

I hid my smile as my brother nodded, exchanging glances with me before following after the prince. Prince Arthur was impressed by me? No way. There was no way! I'd have to fight him soon enough, since he was also competing, but who cared? He was impressed!

I tried to contain my excitement as I went about packing away my armour, stuck in my own daydream land. So much, in fact, that I didn't hear anybody enter the tent behind me.

"It's you!"

I nearly jumped out of my skin when a familiar voice came out of nowhere. Spinning around, I was surprised to see the Lady Morgana standing there with a shocked smile on her face.

"Huh?"

She licked her lips, stepping fully inside the tent and glancing behind her, before looking to me. Lowering her voice, she said, "It's you. The fighting out there. It's not your brother, it's you."

When I finally managed to stop getting distracted by her pretty smile and listened to what she was saying, my own smile faded.

Swallowing hard, I played dumb. "What? That's crazy."

I tried to busy myself with packing my bag whilst also panicking inside, but she kept going with it.

"The sword trick at the end," she stated with confidence. "Where you twirl it on your finger. You did the same thing when you beat your brother yesterday. It's you, isn't?"

I closed my eyes, cursing myself at my stupidity. The damned sword trick. Why did I have to let my cockiness get the better of me?

"Maybe," I admitted, turning to face her, and she smiled to herself.

"I bloody knew it! Well– okay, maybe I didn't, but it makes sense," she said. "Your brother acts like a completely different person out on the grounds compared to when he's literally anywhere else. Because it's not him."

I stayed quiet, both embarrassed that I'd been caught out and nervous to what it meant for me.

"Wait," she realised, pausing, and I could practically see her brain working everything out. Green eyes met mine as she asked, "The flower. Blowing me the kiss. That was... that was you?"

If only the earth could swallow me up there and then.

"I was committing to the role...?" I said dumbly, making me her chuckle. Beginning to panic even more now, I said, "Look, if I'm in trouble, please don't punish Y/B/N. He didn't even want to do this, but I made him. It was the only way I could compete. I just wanted to see how far I could get."

She furrowed her brows, a confused smile on her face. "Y/N, you're not in trouble."

I blinked, taken aback. "I'm not in... huh?"

"I won't tell a soul," she promised, expression softening. "Keep doing what you're doing. You've single-handedly impressed every member of the court, all the knights, the prince and the King himself. You're amazing, Y/N."

At her words, I began to smile, feeling a sense of pride take over. "Why are you doing this?"

She shrugged, playing coy. "Maybe it's women sticking together. Maybe it's because I enjoy watching you fight. Or maybe I don't want to see you getting punished for being such a good fighter."

I sighed quietly, a sense of relief spreading through me. "Whatever it is, thank you, my lady. Truly."

"It's Morgana," she corrected, eyes flickering between mine.

I pursed my lips to stop my smile from widening, and then she stepped forward and kissed my cheek, making me freeze at the contact.

"And thank you for the flower," she whispered in my ear, before stepping back.

My mouth went dry as I watched her red lips curled into a smile before she left the tent. I was certain I was as red as her lipstick, my heart racing in my chest. A grin soon formed on my lips and I couldn't stop.

Moments later, Y/B/N returned and seemed surprised with his chat with Prince Arthur, but I was too distracted thinking about Morgana, my cheek still tingling from her touch.

"The prince wanted to personally congratulate me on my progress thus far," Y/B/N shared. "He hopes to see me make it to the finals so he can see what I'm all about up close."

His words went in one ear and out the other. Did Morgana always smell of jasmine, I wondered?

"Seriously? I thought you'd be dying to know more," Y/B/N said with suspicion.

"What?" I finally tuned back in, kind of. "Yeah, that's great, Y/B/N."

He studied me curiously. "I just saw the Lady Morgana leave here. What did she want?"

"Huh?" I asked, half listening.

"Y/N!" he said, startling me.

Finally, his words settled and I answered, "She just wanted to compliment how great you did today."

"How kind," he said, not believing me.

I couldn't tell him that she actually knew the truth – he'd get cold feet and back out of the competition, and then I'd never get to prove myself. Besides, Morgana said she wouldn't tell anyone, so we were still good to go. What Y/B/N didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"Wait," I said, finally acknowledging what he said earlier. "What did Prince Arthur say about me?"

Y/B/N groaned dramatically and grabbed the bag of armour, ignoring me. I was forced to chase after him, doing his head in about everything the prince said.

[pendragonsclotpole]

Uther Pendragon builds Camelot with swords and ashes. He fights, he conquers, he wins, he rules. For twenty years, his iron fist expands into the surrounding five kingdoms. He maintains a steady peace against the dark forces of magic which killed his wife. But twenty years is a long time, and Uther’s years have made him weak. Opportunistic rebels attack him during the anniversary of the start of his conquest, and leave the future of his reign uncertain.

His council assumes a regency, but as the days pass, Uther’s return to power seems more unlikely. Sharks surround Camelot and factions begin to build around the two most likely contenders.

Arthur Pendragon knows the weight of duty. As the king’s only son, his entire life rests on the order of things. He is a single spoke of an old, sturdy wheel that will spin on forever. Uther’s crown is his by right. No amount of wishful thinking will change that. When the fight for control of the crown begins, Arthur finds a wheel run ragged with the bodies of Camelot’s citizens trampled beneath it and betrayal in the form of family. All he wants is the return of his beloved sister and peace for his people.

Morgana Pendragon longs for her own sense of duty. Confined to the palace as Uther Pendragon’s bastard daughter, Morgana is not quite a princess and more than just a lady. Consequentially, the throne has never been a desire of hers, but the execution of a druid in Camelot’s dungeons reveals a hidden part of Morgana’s identity. The not-quite princess is left scrambling. Uther’s state leaves an opening for a regent—one capable of breaking the wheel. If only she could trust Arthur to be the hammer of that destruction.

Morgause Le Fay lives beyond the concern of duty. The last living child of The Earl Le Fay, she arrives in Camelot intent on resolving the issue of the regency and leaving behind the site of her father’s greatest sadness. A letter from her deceased mother changes everything. Morgause has a sister, one as magical as her, but embroiled in the political schemes of the Pendragons. For her mother, Morgause throws her sword into the melee, and finds herself struggling between the sister she loves and the young man who reminds her so much of a queen she once knew.

Merlin Emrys runs from duty. The druids say he is meant to be the other half to a great king. His is the restoration of magic to the land. Yet Merlin sees no great kings near him, just a spoiled prince and a lady with a heart of gold. An accidental rescue places him at the heart of Camelot’s palace hierarchy and shows him the Prince of Camelot might just be the regent he’s looking for. Arthur needs his help, and if working with the prince can lead to the return of magic, Merlin finds their partnership to be an acceptable price.

Schemes abound, worsened by the crafty maneuvering of Lady Morgana’s maid, Guinevere Smith. The daughter of a blacksmith, Gwen knows a thing or two about making hammers. But she knows much more about the kindness within Morgana’s heart. Gwen knows the palace better than anyone, and in the battle for the crown of Camelot, the will of the people may just win above all else.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, but uneasier lies the battle for the crown.

Or: I just started watching Succession and thought this would be an interesting fanfic.

[rckfackt]

Arthur Pendragon, Long May She Reign

Best genderbend fic ever!!!!!

[deszczowedni]

having big thoughts after reading Arthur Pendragon, Long May She Reign by @mothmage (please read it) (I love arthur)

[vvintagerose]

Young Valentine

A young child’s socked feet silently pattered along the floor, their thin face illuminated by a candle they held carefully in their small hands. Valentine- though they would not be referred to by that name for another many years- could not sleep. Their nights had been restless as of late, and no one around them could discern why, so they had decided nearly every night to leave their sleeping quarters to peruse the vast library their father kept, as they found reading had an almost meditative effect on them, to the point where many times they had awoken with their face pressed into the creases of a book they had been exceedingly engrossed in.

Their father kept mostly books pertaining to his work; property deeds, family histories, histories of the land of France and its neighbors. He was a meticulous man. But, mercifully, he still kept a small stock of books solely meant for entertainment, their covers gilded with the names of kings that may or may not have lived and great adventures they may or may not have gone on. They had fond memories of their mother, in times when she was in better health, sitting them down on her lap and reading ancient Greek plays and Biblical texts to them, it was at some point in these happy afternoons that they had learned to read, though they cannot quite recall when the letters began to weave themselves into words and phrases and sentences and prose on the page before them. But ever since then they had inhaled any book they could get their hands on.

Walking through the shelves, their eyes landed on two thick volumes standing side by side. It was evident that these were two halves of one series, as their candle reflected off of the delicate gold leaf that spiraled across the leather spines to form a latticework of beautiful flowers, framing the title.

“Le Morte d’Arthur.” They whispered into the chill air, letting the words fall from their tongue in wonder. The Death of Arthur.

They felt drawn to the books, and so swept them off the shelf, struggling to balance them in their thin arms while keeping grip on the candlestick.

Back in their room, they laid the first book open on their bed covers, where the first page showed a lovingly detailed illustration of a tall, dark haired woman emerging from a lake, bestowing a smiling, albeit stern looking man with a sword that looked as if it was made from the light of heaven itself. Indeed the creator of this book had gone to the liberty of pasting bits of silver and gold leaf over pieces of the scene, so that they seemed to glow in Valentine’s wide eyes.

Eagerly they turned to the first page, and began to read.

It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time…

[obscurushydrae]

TIMELINE

Note: This is ONLY for her Main/BPRD Verse. This does NOT affect any side verses. This is a mix of the comic canon, Del Toro canon, and few tweaks because I can.

Primordial Times:

Anum, one of the Watchers (the first guardians of the world) steals the vril fire of creation and creates the Ogdru Jahad from mud.

The Odgru Jahad spawn 369 Ogdru Hem, and begin destroying the primordial world.

Kar Hem, the 369th Ogdru Hem is born, still in her egg.

The Watchers seal the Ogdru Hem and Ogdru Jahad away

A Watcher who has taken pity on the small creature, saves the primordial egg, putting it in a place where it can dream peacefully and never cause harm.

As punishment for creating them, Anum is dismembered, his parts discarded to the winds, save his right hand, stored in amber. This would eventually become the Right Hand of Doom. The other Watchers are cast into a realm that will eventually become Hell. They are now called the first fallen or Titans. Pluto/Tartarus reigns as king.

Lesser spirits and beings populate the new world, becoming the gods/fae/spirits we know today.

Lucifer Morningstar rebels. He and his rebel angels are cast into the pit. They become the second fallen and spawn demon kind. Taking the name Satan, he declares himself Emperor of Hell and conquers part of the Underworld. He forces his prisoners of war to build his throne and the city of Pandemonium.

Hecate steals the primordial egg in a ritual to create a child, known as Makaria. The abomination breaks all laws of cosmic order, but the Fates state the child may live as it will serve the Fates in due time.

Before 110,000 BCE:

What is known as the Hyperborean Empire is established, spreading across the planet

~20,000 - 10,000 BCE:

Anum is worshipped as a deity, his hand removed from amber and put on display in a statue in the capital city of Gornium.

King Thoth the Wise rises to power. He writes his knowledge into 42 books, knowledge gained from capturing 3 of the original Watchers and keeping them captive in his secret garden. Only 2 of the books are made public.

The Empire reaches a golden age of expansion, Thoth granting seven of his sons sever vril maidens to power and protect seven new colonies:  Thadrethes, Leto, Hypos, Urrasan, Lemuria, Mu, and Atlantis.

Hecate arrives in Gornium, eventually ingratiating herself in the court and seducing Thoth. This begins the downfall of Gornium and the Hyperborean Empire. Learning the secrets of his knowledge and Watchers, Hecate slaughters the Watchers and writes the hidden knowledge over the temple with their blood.

Thoth curses Hecate for her transgressions, leaving her unable to stand direct contact with the sunlight. This causes a schism in the Empire; the cult of the Black Goddess supporting Hecate and the followers of Anum and Thoth. 

The Black Goddess cult devolved into a violent, bloody people, committing mass atrocities and war with the followers of Anum. The priests of Anum kidnap the godling Makaria. Hecate demands that Makaria be returned to her. The child is sealed in a black stone sarcophagus by the Priests of Anum. Denying Hecate once more the child she has since longed to have returned.

The statue of Anum becomes self-aware as a reaction to the conflict, destroying the rest of the Gornium and ending the Empire, forcing both underground. Hecate’s followers became the Followers of the Left Hand and were eventually slaughtered by their enslaved creature. Anum’s Followers of the Right Hand survive in pockets underground until today.

The Seven Cities survive for some time after the conflict but even they too seem to fall into obscurity.

~10,000 BCE : The rise of contemporary human civilization as we know it in the Fertile Crescent.

~1300s BCE: Panya is born in the reign of Akhenaten in Egypt.

“Past” History:

 1533: Roger is created by an alchemist in Romania

1547: Sarah Hughes, a witch descended from Morgan Le Fay and Arthur Pendragon becomes the bride of Azzael, Duke of Hell on Walpurgis Night, conceiving the demon that would eventually become Hellboy.

1617: October 6: Sarah Hughes dies and is claimed by Azzael, giving birth to Anung Un Rama, also known later as Hellboy He is the first male of the Pendragon line since Mordred, and rightful king of England. 

1856: September 16: Sir Edward Grey is born

1859: November 24: Panya is unwrapped as part of an unwrapping party hosted by member of the Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra. A one Langdon Caul is in attendance.

1869: Spring: After noticing some slaughtered cows, a young Edward Grey investigates, leading to the revelation that the son of the local lord is a werewolf. He becomes a local celebrity in Wessex, known for being around supernatural happenings.

1879: February: After foiling a plot by a small circle of witches threatening the Queen, Edward Grey is knighted by Queen Victoria and becomes the official occult investigator for the crown. He is given the title Witchfinder, and becomes a sort of pulp hero.

1885: Langdon Everett Caul, a merchant involved with the Oannes Society, engages in a ritual involving an egg totem recovered from the sea. It would transform him into an amphibious being. He would be abandoned sometime after.

1889: After Queen Victoria suppresses the identity of Jack the Ripper, Sir Edward leaves her service to become a private occult investigator.

Modern History:

1902: Varvara, the bastard child of Rasputin is born

1913: Seeking to gain some money from her father, Varvara’s mother tries to introduce the girl to her biological father. They are turned away and left to die in the snow. The demon Yomael possesses the girl and creates the Varvara we know

1916:

February: Sir Edward investigates happenings in Chicago related to the Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra and the Duke of Hell Amdusias. He is never seen again. Cursed by Amdusias to be immortal, he was them cut into pieces, leaving on the banks of the Acheron. Lesser demons took pity and put the man back together, waiting for the day when Anung Un Rama would meet his destiny…

Trevor Bruttenholm is born.

December 30th: Grigori Rasputin is invited to dinner where he is poisoned, shot, stabbed, castrated, and drowned. As he drowns in the Neva, he is called by the Ogdru Jahad, becoming their herald. He begins to be their vessel by which to bring about their return.

1923: WWI deserter Raimund Destiel becomes what is known as The (first) Black Flame.

1932: The first signs of a vigilante called “The Lobster” targeting gangs in the US after one is found branded with a lobster claw-like symbol on their head. Conflict with one of these gangs leads to a run-in with the Black Flame.

1937: Rasputin, along with Ilsa Haupstein and the help of Nazi scientists, begins what will be Project Ragna Rok.

1938: The Lobster works with the US Government investigating some strange occurrences and capturing Nazi criminals/scientists.

1939: The Lobster is rumored to be KIA at Hunte Castle, the lair of one Herman Von Klempt, foiling an attempt for creates a Nazi space program. The Lobster eventually evolves into the public consciousness as Lobster Johnson, the pulp hero.

1943: Trevor Bruttenholm Graduates from Oxford University, and is recruited as a codebreaker for the British Army

1944:

Trevor Bruttenholm creates and leads the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense after being appointed occult advisor to President Roosevelt to target Nazi occult threats

May: Project Epimetheus begins. The US attempted to control the vril energy using a power suit, leading to the creation of the Epimetheus Suit/Sledgehammer. Following the death of its test subject, the armor became possessed, with the determination of wiping out the Nazi threat, killing the first Black Flame.

December: Hellboy arrives from Hell in a church on an island off the coast of Scotland after the Allies botch Rasputin’s attempt to bring the Ogdru Jahad back as a Nazi weapon (Project Ragna Rok). He is adopted by Trevor Bruttenholm and raised in the BPRD.

1945: January: following combat, the Epimetheus suit is stored away in a military facility in the Rocky Mountains. (It would later become a secondary base for the BPRD.)

1946: 

1952: Hellboy is given honorary human status by the UN and begins his service as a full-fledged Agent.

Johann Kraus is born.

Soviet Russia creates the Special Sciences Services in response to the BPRD. A peculiar little girl Varvara is chosen as its Director.

1958:

1956: Varavara is captured and sealed away by Iosif Nichyako, a magically animated corpse, taking control of the Special Sciences Services. 

Kate Corrigan is born

Thomas Manning is born

1962: April 15th: Elizabeth Sherman is born.

1973: An incident with the neighborhood children causes Liz’ pyrokinesis to go out of control, killing her immediate family. The Bureau is involved in a custody battle between Liz’s extended family, who do not believe she is the cause.

1974: After another flare-up, Liz is delivered into the BPRD’s custody.

1976: Thomas Manning joins the BPRD as a field agent.

1978: Abraham Sapien is found in an abandoned room in St. Trinian’s Hospital.

1979: Abraham Sapien becomes an official Agent.

1980: 

Liz Sherman becomes an official agent.

Thomas Manning becomes Assistant Director of the BPRD

1982: Trevor Bruttenholm retires as Director of the BPRD giving the role to Thomas Manning

1983: Kate becomes a BPRD Consultant 

1985: January 26th: The “official” birthdate of Kar Aster, according to BPRD Records.

1989: Mid-Late: An expedition to Greenland recovers artifacts rumored to be Hyperborean. Among them is a small, black sarcophagus.

1990: January: The sarcophagus is exhumed, surprising researchers and Professor Bruttenholm when the inhabitant is found alive as if sleeping. The girl is called Kar, after the scratched engraving found on the sarcophagus. She is made an official ward of the Bureau.

1992: The descendants of Elihu Cavendish and Trevor Bruttenholm strike up a friendship and discuss an arctic expedition, following the evidence of Hyperborea found in Greenland

1994: 

1993: Along with Sven Olafsson, the Cavendish brothers and Bruttenholm take an expedition to the Arctic Circle, finding the ruins of Gornium, and disturbing a statue of Sadu Hem. The Cavendish brothers and Olafsson are turned into frog monsters, and Bruttenholm is presumed dead.

Nearly a year missing, Trevor Bruttenholm returns alive with a gap in his memory. This leads to the First Cavendish Hall Incident. 

Rasputin, using the three frog monsters, lures Hellboy to Cavendish Hall in hopes of triggering the beginning of the end. He is “killed” by Abe, possessed by Elihu Cavendish. Manning declares a sweep of the ruins every six months for any life signs indefinitely.

Kate’s first mission as an Agent.

1995:  Kar is eventually given honorary human status by the UN and is fostered by Drs. Frankie Aster and Ava Coen in New York. The Bureau remains involved with her life. She is converted to Judaism and given the Hebrew name Masha Yehudit.

1996: Fenix Espejo is born.

1997: Roger, a homunculus, is recovered from his creator’s castle in Romania and made an Agent.

1998: Kar celebrates her bat mitzvah in New York.

1999:

A 14-year-old Kar starts her undergraduate studies at NYU.

Kate becomes Director of Field Operations.

2001: Benjamin Daimio is attacked while on a mission in Bolivia. A jaguar spirit shares his body and saves his life-- at a cost. He is put into the Pentagon’s Special Operations and an informal consultant of the BPRD.

Contemporary History:

2002: February: A tampered figurine in China causes a shockwave in the ethereal plane. Johann’s body is destroyed by it during a routine seance. 

2004: 

2003: Kar graduates NYU with a BSci.

Trevor Bruttenholm is killed in his study by Rasputin.

Rasputin once again tries to bring the Ogdru Jahad back to earth using Hellboy. It fails.

Following the death of her father, Kar disappears one night without any notice until it is too late. Thus begins almost two years of out-of-control behavior and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to cope with the loss. 

2005: Kar recovers, and shortly after enrolled and sent off to the UK for graduate school. Despite official statements saying this is voluntary, those close remain suspicious.

2006:

Prince Nuada declares war on the human world and intends to revive the mythical Golden Army. Hellboy defeats him and seals the army away, never to be used.

Johann Krauss joins the BPRD

2008: 

2007: Liz leaves the BPRD, traveling to a Monastery in order to learn how to control her powers

Hellboy leaves the BPRD for Africa. He is not heard from for over a decade.

2009: 

Benjamin Daimio leaves the Pentagon to formally join the BPRD to replace Hellboy.

Kar spends time in South Asia studying Bronze Age South Asia as part of her doctoral thesis.

Plague of Frogs

A piece of fungus is recovered from the Cavendish Hall ruin sweeps and held in a research facility in New Jersey. Within weeks it grows into a giant fungus. The researchers are killed and the fungus is stolen from the facility.

Spores from Sadu Hem change the people in Crab Point, Michigan into frogs. Starting what is known as the “Plague of Frogs”.

Kate was promoted to Director of Field Operations

Liz returns to the BPRD from the monastery 

2010:

Kar Graduates Oxford with a DPhil. Before she can go on a much waited expedition to Egypt, is made officially an Agent to face this threat.

The BPRD moves from its Fairfield HQ to an abandoned Military Base in the Colorado Rockies.

Landis Pope takes over Zinco and becomes the next vessel for the Black Flame.

Roger is killed on a mission by the Black Flame and buried on the alias “Archie Stanton” to keep people from attempting to recover his body.

March: A mysterious message leads Abe and Ben to Indonesia. They discover the rest of the Oannes society living in isolation, with many hybrid animals. Their intention to create a cataclysmic tsunami to drown Southeast Asia and collect the souls into their created vessels is thwarted. 

2011: 

Panya is recovered from Indonesia after the Garden of Souls incident with Abe.

September: Ben transforms into his werejaguar form after Darryl, a wendigo escapes from his holding cell, and both disappear into the wilderness of the Rockies in a snowstorm.

Hellboy kills Nimue and is dragged to Hell.

New York City goes dark as Pope and Zinco take over the city, enslaving or killing the inhabitants. Many survivors live among the ruins.

Frankie and Ava, Kar’s foster parents, are killed for resisting.

The BPRD is led underground to wipe out the rest of the frogs. They are confronted by the King of Fear, one of the slave races of the Followers of the Left Hand. They killed the Hyperboreans and took over the cult, seeking to set their war machines on the world above. They are destroyed by Liz’s fire,  but also cause mass devastation to the world above. 

Liz departs from the BPRD once again due to guilt over the incident.

Carla Giarrocco joins the BPRD

Ashley Strode joins the BPRD

2013:

Hell on Earth

2012: Fenix Espejo begins her tenuous on/off alliance with the BPRD

2014:

Abe leaves the BPRD to learn more about his past.

Iosif Nichyako, Director of the Russian Special Sciences Service, proposes an alliance with the BPRD to defeat the Hem threat. 

Liz and Fenix return to the BPRD from their respective hiatuses.

2015:

A Joint BPRD/SSS mission is formed to infiltrate New York and the Black Flame’s Stronghold.

Ashley becomes the BPRD’s official Exorcist after a mission leads her to take the mantle of an old Bureau friend.

Johann takes possession of the Epimetheus Suit, controlling the vril power as his own. He is now the second most powerful member of the BPRD (Liz being the first at present).

2016: 

An assault of Zino-Controlled New York is led by Liz, and Johann. Pope is killed by Liz and the remains are destroyed by Johann.

Kar learns of her mothers’ death and grieves in the ruins of New York. She finally manifests as Kar Hem during the assault on Zinco in New York, shifting into the dragon for the first time. (and surpassing Liz by terms of powers.)

Kate and Panya are killed after the Colorado headquarters is attacked by Odgru Hem and evacuated. Andrew Devon take Kate’s place as Director of Operations.

Johann sacrifices himself and the Vril Containment Suit to destroy the Ogdru Jahad that has landed on Earth. 

2016-2017: A reluctant Iosif frees Varvara to fight Ogdru Hem. He is killed by Varvara. The Special Sciences Service is now without leadership.

The Devil You Know

2017:

Hellboy returns from Hell.

Abe returns to the BPRD.

Kar becomes Director of Field Operations following the death of Andrew Devon.

The Second Cavendish Hall Incident. 

Varvara is killed by Rasputin.

2018: 

Kar is “Killed in Action” while sealing up Rasputin and severing his link with the Ogdeu Jahad. She wakes up in her mother’s limbo-esque domain, finally ready to accept her mother’s offer. Kar finally becomes the goddess of the crossroads, inheriting Hecate’s powers.

Hellboy retires from the BPRD; settling in some small fishing village in Mexico. He still is in contact with Kar and the others.

Kar becomes the third BPRD Director following the death of Thomas Manning.

The Fairfield HQ is reopened, and the organization returns to its old home.

[giunevere]

tag drop.

[    *    the queen of camelot.     ↷    :     long may she reign, for she is kind and beautiful.    *    interaction.   ]  

[    *    the queen of camelot.     ↷    :      in life you will always have a choice — even if it’s easier to believe you don’t.   *    study.   ]  

[    *    dedication.     ↷    :      i have loved you for a thousand lifetimes.  *    arthur pendragon.   ]  

[    *    dedication.     ↷    :      my dearest friend.  *    merlin.   ]  

[    *    mara.     ↷    :      crying over gwen & arthur.  *    out of character.   ]  

[heliotrope-journey]

The Revival of a Beacon from the Dark Ages

Good evening, vampire hunters.

The legendary sword dating back to 6th Century Britain, Excalibur, is now available for purchase on Society6. In the present-day era, Frederick, Eforie, and Abiataka will have to learn everything they can about the blade's original owner and scour the calm yet foreboding Evergreen Forest to reclaim it. Like the Solar Flare Whip's allegiance to the Chinezu clan, the most potent of Excalibur's light magic can only be tapped into by a swordsman or sorcerer with blood ties to the Pendragon family. Though one has not yet accompanied Frederick, they are the only individuals that have knowledge of Vlad Dracula Tepes's upcoming siege on London. If King Arthur is ultimately needed on the battlefield, now's the time to pray for his return. The Dark Lord will not wait for a fair fight. D:

https://society6.com/product/excalibur-in-evergreen-forest_sham

And now, I present with Excalibur's bio;

A holy sword that was said to be a gift from the heavens due to its divine light magic, ability to cleave through iron, and healing properties. Though many will seek it out, only a righteous monarch can channel its power and save the British Isles from darkness. Excalibur's previous wielder, the legendary King Arthur, was illustrious for using this blade to maintain order throughout his reign and slay armies upon armies of invaders should they cross his borders. That is, until his illegitimate son, Mordred used his connection to the Knights of the Round to cease Camelot from the inside out as vengeance for being abandoned as an infant. Arthur was slain during the confrontation and was smuggled to Avalon to recuperate indefinitely. Fearing Excalibur could fall into the wrong hands, Merlin returned the sword to the Lady of the Lake. Regardless of how legend remembers him, divine blood still ran in Mordred's veins and could easily use Excalibur to force his people into submission. Centuries have passed since the scandal costed the Pendragon family the throne and the House of Draculesti would become a threat to not only the British Isles, but to all of the magical kingdoms. Having lost faith that Arthur would return, an anxious young sorceress approached the Lady of the Lake and requested that she place Excalibur in her hands. Her physical resemblance to Morgana le Fey compelled the Lady to decline immediately, believing that she is collaborating with the Dark Lord. The Veiled Nocturne would have no use for such a weapon other than conceal it from its rightful owners, however, it is rumored that Mordred is still alive and has sent one of his subordinates to retrieve the blade by passing off as a legitimate descendant of his father. The sorceress was not discouraged for she was well aware of the close relationship that Arthur and Merlin shared in their youth so she regaled the Lady with these stories and why they mean the world to her. Moved by the sorceress's drive to honor her ancestors, she gained the Lady's trust, allowing her to agree to bequeath her ownership of Excalibur. The sorceress thanked her and took a peaceful road in Evergreen Forest to collect her thoughts before leaving for communist Romania. Her daydream became a mistake that she would regret for years to come; she was ambushed by her anguished lover and two pagan wizards. The sorceress fought a fierce battle against them and triumphed, but she was lost Excalibur to an earth elemental in the commotion. Ashamed that she let love cloud her judgment and afraid to confess her transgression to her family, the sorceress commissioned a silversmith to forge a replica of the blade in the hope that it would aid her against the creatures of the night during her trip. The sorceress speculates that Excalibur can still be found within Evergreen Forest; hidden in plain sight amongst the trees and stones. Its years spent inside may have transfigured it to resemble a petrified sword so it would be easily overlooked. Many replicas of Excalibur exist in both the mortal and magical realms, but only by keen curiosity and knowledge of the forest can the true blade be rediscovered, reigniting hope that London can be spared from invasion.

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming tomorrow before I hit the hay for the night. A vacation is long overdue, but for some of us, trouble will follow wherever we go.

Sincerely,

WN

[lover-of-midnight]

The last dragon - Chapter 12

Rating:

Mature

Archive Warning

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories:

F/M

M/M

Fandoms:

Wiedźmin | The Witcher - All Media Types

Wiedźmin | The Witcher (Video Game)

Wiedźmin | The Witcher Series - Andrzej Sapkowski

Merlin (TV)

Relationships:

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier | Dandelion

Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia & Jaskier | Dandelion

Leon/Morgana (Merlin)

Morgana & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Gwen & Morgana (Merlin)

Characters:

Merlin (Merlin)

Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Kilgharrah (Merlin)

Uther Pendragon (Merlin)

Morgana (Merlin)

Gwen (Merlin)

Jaskier | Dandelion

Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia

Yennefer z Vengerbergu | Yennefer of Vengerberg

Additional Tags:

Fae Jaskier | Dandelion

alternative universe

Pre-Relationship

Established Relationship

Established Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier | Dandelion

Mild Language

Merlin's Magic Revealed (Merlin)

tired Merlin

Tired Jaskier

injured geralt

Language: English

Arthur’s note: I just want to say a big thank you to my amazing beta @aalizazareth for betaing this story, you are bloody amazing.

Merlin wiped his eyes as he moved down the hallway. He wished he could have told Arthur the truth a lot sooner. A deep breath in and out.

He knew he would need to tell Arthur everything, but at the same time, how would Arthur be able to trust him at all?

Before he realised, he had made his way down to Kilgharrah. There was a slight feeling of hatred in his heart for the dragon. He knew the dragon could see the future in some ways and had a lot of power. But some days it just felt like he didn't care about the future.

Merlin slowly made his way down the cave steps. He did not call out to the dragon. Just for a moment, there was a chance to breathe and think everything over.

Everything was quiet for a few minutes as Merlin tried to organise his thoughts. Maybe it would be better if he was killed? Merlin’s hand went to his heart. He could still feel the guilt from all the people he had killed to keep Arthur safe.

Merlin fell backwards into the cave wall. He felt he was no better than Uther. People who could have been saved were killed. Merlin forced himself to take a deep breath. It did not matter anymore. He could not help but feel that he did his best to keep Arthur as safe as he could.

Perhaps it was now time for Arthur to take this forward on his own.

“Merlin!” Kilgharrah's rough voice broke him out of his own thoughts. Merlin could not help but wince slightly at how angry Kilgharrah sounded. “Why are you wallowing in self-pity?” the dragon asked, sounding half amused.

Merlin only gave him a glare. “I am going to tell Arthur everything,” he said softly.

Merlin knew it was the only choice he had, for there would be no chance in the future that Arthur would forgive him. Now was the time. He wished he could convince himself of that, really. It still felt like he’d go through with it, only for everything he ever did to be only thrown back in his face.

Kilgharrah gave a puff of smoke too close to Merlin’s face for comfort. “Why would you do that?”

Merlin was silent for a long while, as he tried to gather his thoughts. His jaw clenched slightly, nerves bubbling within him.

“He knows of my magic,” Merlin said. “The only way he can truly forgive me is if he knows the complete truth.”

Kilgharrah flapped his wings in irritation. “Bring him down, when you are done.” With those parting words, he flew back up deeper into the cave. The only sound was his chain rattling.

Merlin sat back with a sigh and tried to gather the courage he would need to do this.

With a deep breath, Merlin stood up and went to search for Arthur. He knew the most likely place to find Arthur would be the training ground. The Prince always went there when he felt the need to clear his head.

Merlin stopped at a window overlooking the training yard and saw Arthur practising with Leon. He could not help but wince a bit when he noticed Arthur being more aggressive than he would normally allow while training.

Merlin sat down on the bench next to the training field, knowing better than to interrupt the Prince while he trained.

Arthur looked over when he felt someone’s eyes on him. With a glance to the side, he saw Merlin on the bench. Arthur forced himself back to his training.

He wanted to go to Merlin and talk this through properly, but at the same time, he just needed more time to get his head on straight.

Arthur bent down to get his breath back after he had run ten laps. He was slightly surprised that Merlin was still sitting there and waiting. With a groan, he turned to face Merlin.

“I thought we said we will talk tonight?” Arthur’s voice was slightly strained.

Merlin was silent for a moment, before he said quietly, “There is so much I have to tell you. And only after we have the talk will I leave you alone.”

Arthur noticed the way Merlin’s hand was twisted slightly into his tunic.

“Alright.” Arthur turned around and headed to his chambers.

The walk was tense and awkward. Once they got to the chamber, Merlin easily pushed the door open, letting Arthur walk into the room.

Arthur pulled chairs out for both of them. He knew, deep down in his heart, that this was the type of situation in which he might want to be a friend, rather than a master to a servant.

“Sit.” Arthur noticed that his attitude was cold, and he tried to pull his emotions into control.

Merlin took a deep breath before he sat down. The room was silent for a few moments, and the only thing that could be heard was their breathing, though Merlin was sure that his beating heart was audible for miles. For a moment he stood back up and started to pace. He had no idea where to start.

“Merlin, what is it that you want to tell me?” Arthur’s voice had softened slightly.

“I am sorry for not telling you earlier. I should have from the start.” Merlin’s gaze was downcast, his voice a mere whisper.

The ensuing silence spoke volumes to Merlin.

“Arthur, everything I did since I got to Camelot was for you. My magic lives for you and only you. And I truly hope you can believe me with that.” Merlin trailed off slightly. He hoped that Arthur would speak up but, seeing as silence was the only thing that would reign, he continued.

“I came to Camelot originally because my magic was starting to get out of control. My mother had hoped that Gaius would be able to help me, to some extent, learn more about my magic. She always complained that I did magic before I was even able to walk.

“Once I got here, I saved Gaius’s life when he fell down the railing from the second landing. He tested my magic slightly, but truth be told, he gave me more advice on when to use it than anything else.

“The night when I saved your life from Lady Helen the witch, the dragon called me down to his cave. His name is Kilgharrah. He was trapped by your father since the first great purge.

“He told me that night, that it was my destiny to protect you. We are two sides of the same coin. It is my destiny to make sure you become king, no matter the cost it may bring.

“Arthur, I did that and more. I killed to protect you and I will do it every time, anything to make sure you get that crown.

“After we destroyed the Afanc, I went back to the dragon. He advised me that it would be better to kill Nimhueh.

“I did search for her and I did kill her.” Merlin fell silent. He watched with wary eyes as Arthur paced.

Arthur stopped in front of his chair. The following words were a mere whisper. “Get out.”

Without saying anything else, Merlin left the room. He wished he could say more or better yet, never have done this. But it was time that Arthur knew everything.

[mothmage]

genderswapped/lesbian merthur through the years (with this Picrew)

[blackasmidnightcats]

Tagatha UNI AU (Part 3: The Pendragons and extended family get to know Agatha)

Ideas aren't completely fleshed out. May be overdramatic. Mainly in the POV of other characters than Tagathas

Tedros and Agatha are partners for a project since September

Chaddick was asked by Merlin to look after Tedros (Merlin explains it's for their boy's emotional health, Chaddick thinks it's because of Agatha. Merlin has been asking just as much about her as he does Tedros ever since Merlin met her)

Chaddick spends as much time with Agatha now as he does Tedros. The first few weeks they were at each others throats. This was before the Sophie incident.

After the Sophie incident Tedros and Agatha didn't talk much anymore. They still met up for the project (at least that was what Tedros told Chaddick) but they were very obviously akward with each other

It was like this for a week until Tedros's little rendezvous

After that incident, Chaddick started noticing that they were both getting less akward with every meeting (Merlin is in town but the old man asked Chaddick for updates every hour now. Every new update makes Merlin more frantic for the next)

Chaddick starts noticing that Tedros and Agatha's banter started to get playful. It was subtle but noticable with eyes that could see.

Chaddick was the first to warn Tedros about Sophie. But his best mate didn't listen. Chaddick noticed the obvious closeness between Tedros and Agatha and knew that it couldn't be good because of who Agatha's best friend is but Chaddick didn't feel the need to warn Tedros about it. In fact, Chaddick felt the opposite. He felt like he should let happen. Let the story unfold by itself

(If only other people felt that way as well)

Coach Ector was the first to notice it. He noticed it two days after Tedros's dissapearing act when Agatha visited the field.

The girl came by with coffee at hand (coffee in the afternoon? The hell?) books on the other and a ball coming her way. She impressively avoids it by mere inches and continues down towards the edge of the rugby field away from the boys training (they've noticed her and was bluntly staring. Ector gave them a good smack)

Tedros went to her immediately throwing an 'excuse me' at Ector. The coach watched as Tedros casually takes the coffee cup and drink from it (Agatha makes a sound of protest) they fight for a moment until Tedros's teammates loose interest with their banter and go back to training. His teammates don't notice when Tedros casually plays with Agatha's hair (the girl releases a solid curse at him) and run back to the team

But the Coach noticed. He also knew that Chaddick noticed as well

(When Chaddick shared this with Merlin, the old man wouldn't let him sleep until he got every detail)

The next was Lancelot

Lance was the Chief of Police in their town and he would somehow meet with Tedros even though the both of them don't really want to

They still didn't eye to eye, but Lance wasn't gonna push the kid. But he wasn't gonna coddle him either.

As per Gwen's request, he keeps a much more diligent eye out for her son after the incident. He would approach Tedros to know where he was going. And even though it annoyed the hell out of the boy, he stilled answered truthfully

Sometimes Tedros would be stubborn and take his time answering but Lance was just as stubborn. He liked messing with the kid anyway

And when Lance thinks that Tedros was about to explode with all the nonsense questions (god knows how many times the kid lost his temper around him) he always manages to reign it in and answer him anyways (though it was obviously reluctant)

And so, because Lance really wanted to mess with the kid and because he actually wanted to know, one day he kept annoying Tedros all day long

The kid was with his best friend, Chaddick, who kept giving him cagey looks (obviously concerned about Lance's antics)

For the first few questions, Tedros mostly kept his cool but by the fourth, the kid slammed a glass he was drinking.

Lance was getting to him, but just as the chief thought that he finally got to the kid, (Tedros was red with fury) something caught his attention over Lance's shoulder

Tedros was staring intently and he took deep breaths until the red of his face faded away and when Lance looked back it was the Agatha girl

She looked at all three of them and asked what was happening. Tedros answered first and explained. Agatha stared at Tedros and Tedros at Agatha. Finally, Agatha turned to Lance and said that Tedros would be with her anyway and Arthur and Gwen already have her number so whatever happens to Tedros, she'd let them know

Lance blanked out for a moment because he did not expect that but then Tedros stood and practically dragged Agatha out but not before telling Lance where they would be going, all calm and collected again

The chief did not miss the look of gratitude that Tedros shot Agatha and a comment about how annoying Lance could be. Agatha playfully punched him on the arm

Arthur now tried to keep tabs on Tedros every now and then

He asked for the girl's, Agatha's number too just incase

His son would answer with short answers. Not like the lengthy ones he used to send him filled with nonsense. Arthur missed those

One night, around past twelve, he receives a call from his son. (Well that's unusual)

Before Arthur could say a word, his son goes on a tangent. Tedros sounded like he was dazed and a bit muffled. He goes on about how he was thankful that he wasn't alone going through all of this crap with Sophie and that finally, finally it was dying down, and that he understood that he was asking too much because Tedros knew how important that girl was Arthur...or at least to the person that his son thought he was talking to. He continues saying that people were wrong about this person because this person was amazing and brilliant and Tedros could not be more thankful to have this person in their life (his son was so overdramatic sometimes) and that if only this person could let people in like how this person let Tedros in despite how idiotic and arrogant he was then other people would surely appreciate them as well.

Tedros went on and on praising this person until abruptly stopped like someone stole the phone from him. Someone did steal the phone. It was Chaddick

Arthur still didn't speak (both because he was still in shock and he didn't really know what to say) and what Chaddick said next struck Arthur dumb

Apparently, Tedros thought he was talking to the Agatha girl. Chaddicks jokes that Tedros usually gets sentimental when he's sick and that he propably won't remember this in the morning but Chaddick teases that everything that Tedros said was propably geniune so Agatha should treasure it. Chaddick paused waiting for a reply but Arthur still couldn't comprehend what he has just heard. His son likes (really, really likes) this Agatha girl it seems

When Arthur still didn't reply, Chaddick teased Agatha some more asking if she was still conscious or if she passed out with embarassment. Tedros has that effect, he joked. Arthur still didn't reply and Chaddick was quite on the other line as well. Arthur was finally about to reply when Chaddick suddenly called out Arthur's name. So the boy finally found out they were talking to the completely wrong person

As Chaddick was frantically trying to explain everything off, Arthur decided he wouldn't reply back afterall and hung-up

He sat there in his office for a while internalizing everything. Then he pulled out his phone again and called Merlin. Apparently the old man was right about these two afterall.

He just prayed to every possible god that this girl wouldn't break his son's heart

[adeadgodspawn]

Keeper of Oaths | Drabble.

❛ you will carry it into battle. ❜

BOYISH AS HE MAY STILL BE , HE IS NO FOOL. This is no longer a request but a demand , and she looks at him as though she is king. Excalibur hangs heavy at his side , a firm reminder of his oath to Avalon , to Viviane and all that she knows in her to soon come upon them. And Gwenhwyfar , she is his wife , and he has made vows to her as well , but she is not who made him king. She is not who carved out his place upon the throne in the wake of his father’s death. Uther , who remains unknown to him , still lives in this castle , his service to the crown an ambiguous thing but his service to Arthur’s mother one of marvel. Arthur , in hearing the tales , always hoped to live up to it. But Gwenhwyvar has long since been spoken for , and so her heart does not reside with him. How can he possibly dedicate the whole of his life to a woman whose heart lays with another ? Furthermore , how can he betray his sister in favor of her ?

He cannot.

His hands falls to the hilt of his grand sword , eyes peering out the vast windows into the courtyard below. There , his men rally , the banners of the Pendragon swaying in the gentle wind. Suddenly , that wind picks up , and Arthur thinks he knows it. It must be the priestesses , or his sister , or his very own nobility reminding him of promises long made and long kept. What would be the use of betraying it now ? What would that make him ? Oh , but he remembers Viviane’s words as he held the sword upon his palms. The pawn of a dead god. No. He may have been born such a thing , but he would be a pawn no longer. Arthur was king , his own and all else’s , and he would not be led astray. 

❛ No , my dear. I will not. For that is not the banner I rule and reign under. That is not the banner of all my people. ❜

He sees it , that growing anger in her eyes , the betrayal that festers just under the skin. While the blood has been cleansed from their bed chamber , the stench of it rises from the floor. His son , his heir , lost to what she deems blasphemy. Arthur would not believe it however. Viviane is no enemy of his , but if he were to bow to his wife’s whims once more , she may be tomorrow. He will not have it. He will mourn his loss with Gwenhwyfar in the night if she allows it , and if not , he will mourn that loss alone. Regardless of which ,it has passed , and he will not break his vow over his knee for what cannot be changed. 

❛ You are my wife , and in that , I cherish you. in that , i always trust. But it is you who must now trust me. Regardless of your beliefs , of your disdain towards my sister and Avalon , here is the truth. They too are my people , and I am to be an honorable king. ❜

Fingers wrap around Excalibur , not in warning but in comfort. The sun has begun to set. War is upon them as is the dawn of Arthur’s honor. He looks towards where he believes Avalon may be , reminisces about Dragon Island and the antlers he donned there , the paint that covered his body , the bliss he’d slumbered beneath before the morning took him for granted. Even in that ruthless deceit , Viviane had attempted to preserve his best interests as well as that of his sister. He has to believe this. It is all he has left to believe in beyond the God entrusted to him by his priests. Nonetheless , what he must believe in now is himself and the oath he pledged to the priestess. He said he would not be handled from Avalon. That did not at all mean he would endanger their trust in him. And that will not change now. He loves his wife , but he cherishes his honor more. For what will he be without it ?

Placing the banner back in her lap , he steps away. 

❛Thus , I will not carry that banner into battle , for my people have entrusted their loyalties to the Pendragon , and that is what I will be for all my reign. ❜

He is firm in his retort , voice unwavering and eyes carved from stone. He has bent the knee to her whims again and again , and he would like to do so now. But he is king , and that must come first. To jeopardize what has been built for him is a betrayal of the most foolish kind. It would be a grave insult to The Merlin , to Viviane , to his parents and all who had and hand in putting him upon the throne. His own men would wash their hands of such madness. And it must be said. While his love of his wife is deep , it is deep in that way of a noble husband. But they are king and queen , first and foremost , and to scour that would be to welcome death into their very chambers. Arthur , still a boy in many ways and only just becoming a man in so many others , is simply not ready to offer that invitation. 

❛ You are my wife , but you are also Queen. And I am your husband , but I am also my mother’s son. Do not forget who you rule beside. More importantly , do not forget how you came to. ❜

[deszczowedni]

BABE WAKE UP Arthur Pendragon, Long May She Reign HAS UPDATED

[camelotremix]

Camelot Remix Reveals 2019

The Camelot Remix 2019 Reveals are finally here! Thank you again to all our wonderful participants, we have had some fantasic remixes and we hope to see you all again next year! Your ever-loving mods, Kitty, Fifty and Wasp ❤️ Fic: Emrys_MK wrote How Merlin Put the Extra Back in Arthur’s Ordinary for Fifty-Fifty (Merlin/Arthur – NC-17 – 3.6k) Summary: Arthur often dreams of a familiar yet faceless someone from another time and place long ago past. He knows this person was important to him, but try as he may, this elusive dream-dweller remains a mystery… that is until a chance meeting in the heart of 2019 London brings the past and present together and turns an ordinary day extraordinary. Fic: Clotpolesonly wrote Speccy Is The New Sexy for LFB72 (Merlin/Arthur – Gen – 1.6k) Summary: Merlin gets new glasses. Apparently he looks like a whole new person, because his boyfriend doesn't even recognize him! Or maybe it's just that Arthur is a bit thick sometimes. Fic: Digthewriter wrote I don't know (how to play the game of love) for EachPeachPearPlum (Merlin/Arthur – Mild R – 1.3k) Summary: Arthur has strange dreams. Fic: Arthur_Pendragon wrote Date the Flooze (The Cool Cool Cool Cool Remix) for Rou (Merlin/Arthur – T – 5.5k) Summary: Detective Merlin Emrys, Pan-Albion PD 99th Precinct (Camelot), rues the day he cravenly swept his feelings for his captain, Arthur Pendragon Million-Abbreviations-and-Medals, under the rug. Now he’s struggling to tell Arthur how he really feels, hoping against hope that Arthur hasn’t slipped out of his grasp already. Art: ViridianJane created Belonging for Aeris444 (Merlin/Gwaine – G – Art) Summary: Gwaine pretends to think that it's Camelot he considers home; it's only in the middle of the night that he might admit that home isn't necessarily a place. Fic: Tari_Sue wrote The Very Cunning and Brilliant Plan of Uther Pendragon, CBE (The Invitation Remix) for Aranei (Merlin/Arthur – PG13 – 7k) Summary: Uther Pendragon [CBE] does not approve of his son's choice of girlfriend. He will not stand for this! Fic: Wyvern wrote A Crown of Stars (the King of Nothing Remix) for Destroyerofhearts (Merlin/Arthur – M – 3.7k) Summary: Morgana has taken over Camelot, and Arthur, Merlin and the others barely managed to escape and are now on the run. However, she’s looking for them and Arthur must consider something he’s never had to consider before. Fic: Linorien wrote Escape from Earth for Lyss2011 (Merlin/Arthur – G – 1.6k) Summary: In his second life, Arthur strives to continue what Merlin started. Anything to feel closer to his best friend. Along the way, he finds a deeper understanding of math, life, and the universe. Fic: EachPeachPearPlum wrote Happy Hour (the Open to Misinterpretation Remix) for Polomonkey (Gen – G – 1.9k) Summary: For the most part, Mordred's workplace isn't that bad. The workload isn't too heavy, his boss treats him well, and his colleagues do their best to be understanding when he's having a bad day. Apart from Merlin, that is. Merlin hates him, and Mordred has absolutely no idea why. Art/Fic: LFB72 drew and wrote Our scars will reveal the truth (The Heal Remix) for Arthur_Pendragon (Merlin/Arthur – T – 2.5k) Summary: To kiss a hurt away. Arthur is watching Merlin sleep after the Questing Beast incident. He sees the scar left by Nimueh and bends down to take a closer look, but Merlin wakes up and Arthur has to explain what he was doing. Fic: Lyss2011 wrote Tumbled From My Lips (The Easy Like Sunday Morning Remix) for Slantedknitting (Merlin/Arthur – T – 14.5k) Summary: Arthur had allowed himself to forget that they weren't actually dating, building the lie around them like the oversized jumpers Merlin always wore, soft and comforting, as they cuddled up on the couch. Luckily, before his mouth could suggest something even more romantic-sounding, like kissing, Mordred texted him about their next date. Or, Arthur's (failed) attempt to get over Merlin. Fic: Mrs_Leary (harlequin/julie) wrote The End of All Things for Amphigoury (Merlin/Arthur – G – 1.9k) Summary: Arthur has brought the Ring to Mount Doom, but declares that he cannot destroy it. What can Merlin do to help fulfil the Quest they've shared? Fic: Blacktail_chorus wrote Heat Rises (the Silver Lining remix) for AJSRandom (Merlin/Morgana – G – 1.9k) Summary: Merlin tries to teach Morgana magic. Morgana has her own ideas. Fic: Ingberry wrote Something Good (The Bad Remix) for Little_Dhampir (Merlin/Arthur – M – 4k) Summary: After being stood up for a blind date at his favourite restaurant, Arthur went clubbing only to end up with a terrible one night stand. It was a day that should be removed from the very fabric of the universe. Art: Altocello created Guttered (The Flickering Flames remix) for Emrys_MK (Merlin/Arthur – G – Art) Summary: In which Arthur, worried about Merlin, finds him sitting alone in near darkness. Fic: Malu_3 (Grainne) wrote In Too Deep (The 'Mole' Canon-Era AU Remix) for Elveatas (Ricecake) (Gwen/Morgana – R – 4.7k) Summary: She sees the way he looks at Gwen. Still. And while she cannot fault Sir Lancelot for his excellent taste, she hasn't survived this long by being overly trusting. He's hiding something, she can tell, and while the rest of Camelot seems content to lick his boots, she is determined to expose him. Expose his secrets, that is. Fic: Destroyerofhearts wrote The Selkie's Skin for Blacktail_Chorus (Merlin/Arthur – G – 1.14k) Summary: Arthur was 14 when his father brought home a grand trophy from his campaign out at sea. Fic: Slantedknitting wrote We Are the Muses for Tari_Sue (Merlin/Arthur – M – 6.2k) Summary: Morgana convinces Arthur to do some nude modelling for her art class. Merlin is in the art class. They both get distracted. Fic: Aranei wrote I have sinned for 8verity8 (Merlin/Arthur – NC-17 – 1.5k) Summary: Some of us are born to sin, others are lead to it. Art: Eisbaerfussel created Bath Among The Stars for VerdantMoth (Merlin/Arthur – G – Art) Summary: This image was burned into Merlin's teenage head when he stumbled into the closed swimming hall at night. Fic: Penndragon27 wrote In the Shadows, In the Light (One of Many Faces Remix) for ViridianJane (Merlin/Freya – G – 592) Summary: Freya has watched Merlin for so long... she just wants him to see her too. Fic: Little_Dhampir wrote This Scheduled Sex Thing for Moonflower999 (Merlin/Arthur – NC-17 – 2.5k) Summary: Merlin and Arthur give this scheduled sex thing a chance. Art: Rou created Honeymoon Impressions (A Selfie Remix) for Clea2011 (Merlin/Arthur – T – Art) Summary: Turns out they'd have a few more photos to show to Hunith when they got home. Fic: AJSRandom wrote Gwaine’s Day Out (The A Little Help Here Remix) for Clotpolesonly (Gen – G – 3k) Summary: When Gwaine volunteers to accompany Merlin on an herb-picking trip, he has no idea what’s in store. Art: Amphigoury created Of All The Gin Joints! (Remix It Again, Sam) for Digthewriter (Merlin/Arthur – G – Art) Summary: "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, he walks into mine!" Arthur's old flame has arrived at Casablanca. Fic: Clea2011 wrote Love Potion Number Nine (The Shy Remix) for Eisbaerfussel (Merlin/Arthur – T – 11.3k) Summary: Merlin had hoped that after Princess Vivien’s visit he wouldn’t see a love potion again for a long, long time. But Princess Vivien, as it turned out, was only the start of the problem. Fic: Aeris444 wrote Merlin's birthday (Merlin's day off Remix) for Penndragon27 (Merlin/Arthur – PG – 10.1k) Summary: It's Merlin's birthday and it looks like it will be another busy day at work. Fic: Moonflower999 wrote Paradise Found (The Heart That Made A Family Remix) for Mrs_Leary (Gaius/Geoffrey – T – 4.4k) Summary: On Boxing Day Geoffrey asked Gaius, his life partner of many years to marry him. Now it's all coming together! Happy Pride! Fic: 8verity8 wrote Same, Same, But Different (Whatever We Are, We Are The Same Remix) for Wyvern (Merlin/Arthur – M – 7.7k) Summary: Merlin has an older (half) brother Arthur, from his Dad's first marriage, but to be honest Merlin has always felt like more of an only child than anything. Arthur seems cool enough from what little he remembers, but hell, Arthur left for London when Merlin was like 6 and he only saw Arthur at important family functions. Then he left for the states and for years Merlin didn't even see him at all... It's not like they have a brotherly connection or anything. Or Merlin's modern coming of age story that ends up taking a wild left turn when Merlin's absent (hot as fuck!) half-brother Arthur returns. Art:  LFB72 created The Holly King and The Oak King (The Alban Arthan and Alban Helfin Remix) for Altocello (Merlin/Arthur – T – Art) Summary: The Holly King and the Oak King are the two halves that make up the circle of the year. Only one can rule thus the contest for supremacy continuously plays out as the seasons turn. Merlin is the Holly King; he reigns during the darkest times, when the light wanes and there’s a chill in the air. The height of his power is during midwinter solstice but as the days stretch, Merlin gradually becomes weaker. At the Spring Equinox he must fight to maintain his Kingdom from Arthur, The Oak King, Merlin’s summer counterpart and adversary. The fight is fierce but as the hours pass, the balance tips in Arthur’s favour and The Oak King finally triumphs. Arthur takes control and the days grow long and warm, he gains strength, reaching his peak by Midsummer solstice. As the nights draw in, Arthur’s hold slips and by the Autumn Equinox Merlin’s wounds have healed and he is ready to do battle where it's his turn to conquer. Despite being adversaries, without one, the other would no longer be and one cannot truly hate what makes him whole. Nor can one be with the enemy he has learned to love. It is lonely being a king, except for the equinox. The equinox is when they can be together, equals for a short time until the perpetual cycle begins again. Fic: Tari_Sue wrote Recurring Dream (The Waking Dream Remix) for Linorien (Merlin/Arthur – G – 1.5k) Summary: Three boys on holiday in Wales stumble upon an old ruined castle. Fic: Elveatas wrote All I Want (The Make My Wish Come True Remix) for Geeklover (Merlin/Arthur – M – 3.9k) Summary: It doesn’t happen often that Arthur takes Merlin to bed, but it’s happened enough times that it’s become a bad habit. And it's a habit that Merlin is finally trying to break. Fic: Polomonkey wrote Take Care (The Dart to the Heart Remix) for Malu_3 (Arthur/Gwaine – PG – 2.5k) Summary: Arthur and Gwaine take care of Merlin whilst in Jarl's captivity. Merlin only wishes they would take care of each other too. Fic: Tari_Sue wrote Not Completely Useless (The [hopefully] Not Totally Horrible Remix) for Kitty_Fic (Merlin/Arthur – M – 681) Summary: Arthur’s new manservant just might have his uses after all. Fic: Fifty-Fifty wrote It Meant Something (The "It Didn’t Mean Anything" Remix) for Ingberry (Merlin/Arthur – M – 24.7k) Summary: Merlin only has to do two things; one, don't let Arthur know about the magic, and two, don't let Arthur find out about the massive inappropriate crush he has on him. Oh yes, and also find out how to break the spell he accidentally cast on them leaving them stuck together 24/7, which makes the first two things so much harder to stick to.

[gemm-writes-blog]

Leaving (Arthur x Reader) [Merlin]

She turned around to the at the marvelous place she was leaving behind. The life of nobility just was not a life she could live. Not any longer that is. Her place wasn’t in a castle, it was in the field working. Boredom grew immensely as she sat there in the chambers the king had provided for her. The poor girl needed to be home where she knew everyone there and everyone there knew her. A place where people joined together not just to past the time but to have a grand time with one another. Where there was a time for work and a time for play, not waiting around for someone to invite you to join them because they are wanting to speak with you. Would young (Y/N) miss Camelot? Well, of course, but not as much as she would miss her dear prince.

Leaving wasn’t the hard part. It was leaving Arthur that was so difficult. If it wasn’t for him she wouldn’t have turned back at all. The young girl would have just walked out of the courtyard and never gave it a second thought. But over the past few months the two young pupils have grown fondly close. He was there for her when the nightmares grew too unbearable. She was there when he just needed someone to talk to who was unbiased. It was hard to even tell Arthur that she was even thinking about leaving Camelot. So, she didn’t.

When darkness fell and the castle was as silent as a mouse, she raised her hood and took her trunk quickly walking out to the stables to fetch her beloved horse and galloped out of the castle gates. Turning back only for a few moments to reflect on the likes of the palace one last time and to think upon whether this was the right decision. (Y/N) didn’t ponder too terribly long before she was off again on her journey home.

Hours passed by as she rode on down the path she was directed to go from the court physician. It was daylight by now and she had grown tired and her horse was just as so. They rode only slightly further and found a small pub with an inn in the back. She directed her horse over and secured him tightly to a post nearby. “Stay tight.” (Y/N) spoke softly to the young stallion. “I will be right inside to get a room and come back to feed you.” The young ward softly brushed the horses snout with the palm of her hand, he nuzzling back into her hand.

The young girl made her way inside the small pub and was greeted by a kind wench at a nearby table. “Hello, dear, how may I help you?” She questioned sweetly.

(Y/N) smiled at the girl and asked “Whom must I speak to for a room for just a few hours?”The young girl directed the ward to a older gentleman in the corner at a small wooden table. To which she slowly walked up to. “May I pardon you for a room? Just a few hours to get some rest?” She questioned the man.

“Certainly, young one.” He smiled. Luckily for the young girl she stumbled upon some kind people which was quite rare but not impossible to find. “Traveling far?” He questioned.

The girl shook her head slightly. “Just another day’s journey from here. I traveled through the night and my horse and I just needed a rest.” She confessed as she paid the nice man who sat in front of her.

“May I ask where you’re headed? I could give you a general direction.” He asked.

“Home to Orkney.”

“Well in that case, when you’re ready to head out just go north. That should lead straight to the village.” The man stated then gave her the room number she’d be staying in.

“Oh, thank you. I appreciate it dearly.” She lauded and headed back out to her horse after grabbing a pitcher of water from the wench. She walked over to the stallion and reached in the satchel at his side and pulled out a large bowl and poured the water in it for him walking to his front and holding it for him. “There you go.” She softly spoke and pet his head. “This should last you till we head off again.” (Y/N) smiled as she stood there letting the horse finish its drink and an apple she has grabbed from the satchel as well.

Yawning, she put up the bowl. “Now I must go rest. Best you do the same.” The young girl placed a soft kiss on the side of the stallion’s head and walked off to her room for the day. Once inside she closed the curtains and layer upon the small bed that sat against the far wall. Within moments she was fast asleep.

She woke up some hours later feeling fully rested and ready to head back out on her journey. The young ward sat up on the bed and took out the pin in her hair to let her beautiful long locks fall. Getting up and walking to the small mirror on the wall brushing it through with her fingers to make her look more presentable.

(Y/N) walked around to the pub to thank the nice people when she saw a familiar crest in a horse's reigns. She told herself she was imagining thing from just waking up and walked inside. The ward gave the young wench the pitcher that she had given her full of water earlier in the day.

“I knew that was your horse out there.” Spoke an all too familiar voice from behind her. One that (Y/N) couldn’t believe she was hearing. The young girl turned slowly towards the voice. Her face softened when she saw her prince sitting at the table in the corner. “You’re leaving?” His voice hoarse as if he had been crying. “Leaving without telling me?”

“Arthur...” Her voice drifted off as she tried to find the words to speak to him in order to make him understand.

“I knew you missed your home but I never thought you would go without saying anything to me.” He was hurt and she knew it which hurt her heart more than he could of ever known. He stood from he seat and walked closer to her. “Why?”

She stood there for a moment in silence. “If I was tell you I was going I could have never left. Leaving you was hard enough as it was. Telling you was harder. I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Gaius knew of it.” He started the hurt evident now in his face.

She shook her head. “I asked him if I was to want to visit which way would I go. But that was weeks ago. I didn’t even plan to leave back then. I was just curious. But then I realized noble life isn’t meant for me.” The ward confessed to her friend. “I belong back home, Arthur. I don’t want the nice clothes or the castle to live in. I need home, where the only royalty that truly matters is the ones you put before yourself.”

“We’re you planning on returning to Camelot?” Arthur asked.

“I don’t have an answer to that, Arthur.” She confessed onto him.

“It’s like that, is it?” He question the hurt had taken over. “You leave without saying goodbye and never planned to return?

“Arthur, no...” she drifted once again. “This won’t be the last time you see me and I’ll return one day. Maybe in a few weeks, maybe months, possibly even when you are finally king, but I will return and you will see me again. I don’t know how I will like being back. I just need to be right now.” (Y/N) softly grabbed his hand. “I promise that this isn’t going to be the last time we meet Pendragon.”

The young Pendragon looked at her and nodded slightly. “Come back to me safe, please.” He pleaded. The girl nodded and smiled slightly. The prince then pulled his friend into a tight embrace not ever wanting to let her go, knowing he wouldn’t see her for some time.

When he did let go, she leaned up slightly placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “See you soon, my prince.” She said then pulled away and walked out to her horse. After untangling the reigns from the post, she mounted the young stallion. One last look at the young Pendragon prince, she gave him a smile and raised her hood. After another moment or two she directed her horse to the north and she was off.

Gemm’s Note- Please tell me if you guys would like another part to this. I feel like this could be a fabulous 2 part story! So please let me know in the Feedback Box!