#bbc merlin hc

[nonunsnonunsnone]

- Uther, Merlin, and Arthur are trapped and alone somewhere (literally anywhere)

- Uther, upon closer inspection of merlin decides he’s sure merlin is a sorcerer. Like he has the time to examine him and connect the dots from the last several years. He doesn’t say anything until they’re out and on their way to Camelot again.

- Adventure Happens. They are all freed. Uther, upon arrival at the court, immediately orders Merlin’s arrest and puts him to death row for sorcery.

- Arthur goes ballistic. Where is this coming from??? Cmon it’s Merlin !

- Uther recalls the many, many times merlin was conveniently somewhere where magic was used.

- Arthur, dumb of fuck, lovesick of heart, looks back at Merlin with a panicked and betrayed look. He realises his father is right.

- Arthur saying that Merlin is not a sorcerer. That he himself is one. He was also there at every one of the examples Uther gave for Merlin’s usage of magic. He could never tell Uther but it’s not something he can control - it came out of nowhere but it’s been growing stronger and he can’t live without magic. (I should’ve gone to sleep an hour ago is the Merlin is magic metaphor thick enough in this paragraph?)

- Arthur, being the one and true prince and future king, cannot be killed by his father for using magic. Arthur, who will be the person who will rule Camelot cannot be swayed away from legalising sorcery. Uther will die, and there is nothing he can do about it.

- Uther vowing to only release Merlin if Arthur swears to adhere to his magic ban, after his death, as well.

- Arthur swears by the crown. Merlin is devastated.

- Merlin and Arthur have a huge fight - “how could you not tell me about this??” “how could you doom all sorcerers in Camelot for as long as you live??? Doom me???”

- Arthur says he’s not going to keep the laws of his father. Merlin doesn’t believe him. He swears to Merlin by his mother’s sigil and gives it to him. He asks for Merlin to trust him on this.

- Merlin and Arthur practice magic in the woods, Arthur is in awe and in love and they sneak outside of Camelot’s borders often, because Arthur loves seeing Merlin show him so many different things, from moving twigs and making trees disappear to slowing down time.

- Uther dies (rest in disgrace) - Arthur orders for the crown to be broken, scrapped and replaced. Camelot is filled with magic :”) Merlin teaches Arthur magic and I sob in the corner as Merlin is appointed court sorcerer :”))))

[justaz]

*merlins magic gets exposed in front of the knights*

merlin, magic user: oh fuck

arthur, finally taking this opportunity to pretend as if he just found out merlin has magic after agonizing for the past month on how to bring it up: you have magic?

lancelot, merlin defender, already knew of merlin’s magic: no! i have magic

gwaine, merlin defender, already knew of merlin’s magic, lover of chaos, ride or die: no, i have magic!

mordred, desperate for his hero’s approval bc no matter what he’s done emrys just stares at him with distrust and the poor boy is tired and so close to tears: no…i have magic.

percival, raised by druids and bonded strongly with mordred over that and does Not agree with the persecution of magic in camelot, had an inkling that merlin had magic but no proof: no. i have magic.

*leon and elyan exchange a look, elyan, amused and leon, exhausted, elyan shrugs*

elyan, knows how much gwen adores merlin and completely understands her stance bc merlin…is merlin, down to clown and put on a show, really playing up the dramatics: no! i have magic.

leon, exhausted, has known of merlin’s magic since he stepped foot in camelot, knows of his feelings for arthur and arthur’s feelings for him, knows arthur knows of merlin’s magic and wouldn’t harm him, thinks everyone is being absolutely ridiculous:

*the knights stare hard at leon and even merlin looks slightly offended at leon not jumping to his defense with the rest of the knights, arthur hasn’t said anything and is staring at leon expectantly*

leon, sighing: …no. i have magic.

[tiredcowboyy]

I always find the posts/fics where leons just so over witnessing merthur pining so funny. Like that man really had to see them from the start and the tension between them grow and he just had to sit and watch. Like I imagine every time a new knight joined they all brought the weird vibes up and leon each time was more and more over it.

Like it stared w lance early on being like

Lance: hey leon, is it just me or are arthur and merlin lowkey pining for each other

Leon: oh thank god! Someone finally brought it up, yeah theyve been like this for a while-

But then ended up as

Percy talking to the knights as they watch merlin and arthur bicker (read: flirt): ok but, does it seem like theyre fli-

Gwaine, sounding exhausted: yeah theyve been like this for a while

Percy: really? And theyve still not done anything about it?

Leon the long suffering, whose now had to watch them for almost 10 years: *eye twitch* nope.

Edit: just gonna leave these screenshots here

[counting-stars-gayly]

Thinking about how, for Merlin, the events of the show happened so long ago that he can’t possibly remember much, and the memories he does still have are probably vague. So when Arthur returns, with everything far more fresh in his mind, he probably keeps referencing events that Merlin has forgotten or is confused about, and it breaks both their hearts.

[dandelionpixels]

merlin hcs

ask: Do you have any headcannons of Merlin growing his hair out all curly and everyone in the castle collectively loose their minds

- If you want a mental image, I’ve got you. Take this and this and this and enjoy. :3

- Like the grandpa he is, Gaius teases Merlin for it every morning. He ruffles his hair, mumbles something about being thankful while you have it, and sends him out the door with a tsk.

- It only takes a day or two for it go from subtle waves to quite noticeable, especially when Gaius makes him a shampoo better fit for the curly aspect. It wasn’t really an intentional choice on Merlin’s end, just happenstance from being busy and letting it do what it wants. This also meant he was starting to get slight stubble around his jaw, born from laziness about shaving.

- This switch also happened to fall on a rare weekend where Merlin didn’t really see anyone. Arthur was gone for business and Merlin took the weekend off.

- Gwen says something about it first, crossing him in the halls and stopping him to gently ruffle his hair and go, “Well aren’t you handsome, why have you been hiding this?” to which Merlin blushes (not used to compliments) and waves it off. Gwen continues down the hall, but calls back over her shoulder, “Make sure to ask the knights what they think!”

- Merlin also passes a couple ladies from town who, in no uncertain fashion, stare for long enough that even he notices.

- When he wakes Arthur up by yanking the curtains open and throwing an orange in his direction, Arthur doesn’t notice. Too blinded by sleep and sun and stress. It’s not until after he’s changed and emerges from behind the divider that his gaze flickers to Merlin and he pauses.

- Merlin makes a face, “What? Don’t be thinking about throwing something at me.” Arthur looks away, but doesn’t move, “Nothing, you changed your hair.” Having genuinely forgotten, Merlin pauses, “Oh- I suppose I did. Is that….a problem?” Arthur rolls his eyes, “Why would that be a problem Merlin? I doubt anything can worsen your servant skills any more than their current-,” He’s cut off by Merlin throwing his shoes full speed at him.

- When they run into the knights in the armory, Merlin keeps remembering Gwen’s comment about what they would think. He decides not to say anything, but it doesn’t matter because the second they go outside and the sunlight hits them, Gwaine clocks him immediately.

- “Woah, hold up! You did something, fess up!” Merlin groans but smiles despite himself, “C’mon, don’t do this-,” Percival cuts him, “He’s right though! You’re all rugged now.” He lowered his voice when he said rugged and Merlin and Arthur both make a grossed-out expression. As Elyan opens his mouth to agree, Merlin surrenders, “I grew out my hair a little bit, it got wavy, can we move on now?”

- Gwaine wolf-whistles and the knights burst into laughter. Arthur rolls his eyes and gestures with his sword, “Can we get back to training?” Lancelot grins, “What, are you upset we think Merlin looks nice?” Arthur shoots him a very pointed glare and gestures everyone out into the field.

- Later that evening, Morgana comes to visit Arthur while Merlin’s getting dinner set up. She goes to wave a quick hello but pauses upon seeing him, “Merlin! Your hair looks lovely.” He grins bashfully, “Thanks.” Arthur groans, “Doesn’t anyone in this castle have anything better to do than pay attention to Merlin’s hair?” Morgana shrugs, “Do you not like it?” Arthur stiffens slightly, “I didn’t say- I just don’t care about it.” Gesturing vaguely around, Morgana continues, “It’s not a crime to think he looks nice Arthur, everyone in this castle thinks he looks nice. You’d be crazy not too.”

[roosterlasagne]

BBC Merlin writers really missed out the best friend energy with Gwen. She's the first friend Merlin meets in Camelot, what do you mean he didn't tell her of his magic?

I would love to have a few episodes of the Merlin, Gwen, Lancelot trio where Merlin is trying to discreetly-not-discreetly take care of the villain while Lancelot is trying his best to help him with the stealth and makes excuses for him while Gwen is the one with the braincell making sure it all doesn't go to shit.

Merlin would find out of the threat from Arthur or due to Arthur and he would then relay this to Lance and Gwen. They talk about how best to deal with it and they ALL go down to see Kilgarrah cos more people need to question his bullshit, it's extremely hard to do that when you're the only one confronted with it. And same with Gaius, although his is more caring but still detrimental at times.

Gwen will be the one to persuade Merlin to tell Morgana of his magic and help her. While both Gwen and Lancelot, and later also Morgana, make sure that Arthur learns that magic isn't so bad. And then Merlin would tell him of his magic and Morgana will feel safe to also come out with her magic.

And then for bonus points merthur

[inamagicalhallucination]

merlin but its just him sneaking out magic users to safety in ridiculous and obvious ways 

like it starts with him sneaking into the dungeons and leading them out the night before their execution but making sure he has an alibi for the night just in case (it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t tbh arthur will be there to explain how his dimwitted manservant could never pull this off)

then gradually he doesn’t even wait until it’s night (working for gaius and for arthur is hard and that doesn’t even account for his job as arthur’s secret protector - he has no time)

there’s a scene where some evil magic user tries to assassinate arthur but merlin finds out and

merlin: if i may ask, why are you trying to kill arthur

evil magic user: BECAUSE OF THE EVILS HIS FATHER HAS PLAGUED THIS LAND WITH

merlin: ah but you’re not killing his father, you’re killing arthur

evil magic user: I AM STOPPING UTHER’S BLOOD FROM CONTINUING TO POISON MORE AND MORE PEOPLE

merlin: well that’s not really fair to arthur, is it? your anger is understandable but arthur is not his father, it would be unfair to damn him for his father’s sins. instead if we show arthur that magic is not evil, he will know his father’s ways were wrong

contemplating evil magic user: how can we put our trust on a chance

merlin: arthur’s a good man, my word may mean little, but i truly know him. would you like to come up for tea and we can discuss it thoroughly and also how you should spend your energy finding other magic users so you have a community and you can all plan for a better future together

not so evil magic user: ... yes please

//

magic users who don’t have anywhere to go all get sent to hunith’s house where she helps them find their footing and sometimes they stay in ealdor and sometimes they leave but they’re safe

everyone in ealdor side-eyes the random ass people hunith’s kid keeps on sending her but ultimately dont say shit because god knows uther would just kill all of them for assisting magic or some bs and their own king isnt better

//

there is a scene where merlin sneaks a magic user out and they thank him for risking his life and merlin says “nah don’t worry i do this all the time” and then makes a note to himself to tell arthur that the security at camelot is awful (after arthur becomes king of course)

//

sometimes when all else fails merlin pretends to know whatever person is on the run and makes a big show about missing them and no way could they have magic maybe he uses his magic to block theirs or if theyre a druid cover their druid marks and yeah

//

he pretends mordred is his younger brother and no one questions it

//

arthur knows what he’s doing and corners him like “ARE YOU STUPID?? YOU’RE SO OBVIOUS MY FATHER WILL FIND OUT”

and merlin’s like “no offense but your dad aint known for being smart babe”

and arthurs like thats treason but he helps cover up for merlin anyway

//

merlin helping someone sneak out but then bringing them to arthur’s room real quick because he forgot something there

//

merlin using the residents of the castle’s stupidity and obliviousness against them

//

leon knows whats going on and he brings it up to arthur before arthur figures it out but he does it vaguely and arthur thinks its about his crush on merlin and swears leon to secrecy and leons like “aight” and helps cover for merlin too

//

arthur still doesn’t know about merlin’s magic

//

leon does though and he thinks its another thing that him and arthur have sworn to secrecy about

//

there’s now a place near ealdor where magic users can go for safety if they don’t go to hunith directly like a magic hotel thing

yeah

//

merlin accidentally and kinda purposefully at times (but mostly on accident) helps unite the magic community and that causes less people to go evil

unfortunately, it also means that people who are too far gone in their desire for revenge or just in their own evilness are more organized but merlin is strong so its okay and he doesn’t have to deal with half assed attempts made by people who don’t think they have any other choice

//

the servants all know whats up but they don’t get paid enough to deal with this shit

//

yeah thats all ive got for now

[knightofmordred]

merlin and gwen always being right by each other's side

[malsdia]

my favourite silly little headcanon i have about lancelot is that he's a dagger boy. he has a truly ridiculous amount of daggers on his person at all times, and the funniest thing would be that no one expects that of him. like one day, during the early days of being a camelot knight, they all go on another quest or something and its a sacred place so lets imagine the knights and arthur actually listen to merlin for once and leave all their weapons behind. except when everyone is done just putting down a sword and one or two dagger, lancelot is just standing there pulling out daggers one by one from increasingly ridiculous places and everyone is just staring at him like wtf. (except merlin, cause he's aware of this particular habit of his), and then when he finally seemingly pulls out the last dagger, merlin just gives him a Look. and lancelot stares back a moment before grumbling and pulling out the smallest little dagger from his sleeve or something.

considering that lancelot spent sm time travelling after his village was attacked, and then after leaving camelot, i like to think he takes comfort in having something to protect himself, or anyone else, with him at all times.

[princess-of-morkva]

my headcanon is that merlin post-finale becomes a total pacifist. like, life fucked with him a lot, he was pressured into doing some violent shit and now wants do nothing with it. you people have horrible war going on? none of my business. he tried being a saviour once, failed horribly and doesn't bother anymore, just keeps to the sidelines sipping his tea.

[arthurpendragonssassydaggers]

I love reading other peoples headcanons. Like yes tell me every little detail you’ve made up.

[justaz]

omg omg omg

arthur gives merlin his mothers sigil thinking that hes going to die and wants to finally tell merlin how he feels and what better way of conveying the intensity of his emotions and how serious he is other than marriage? merlin accepts the sigil which means theyre married!! yay!! only. they both survive and arthur QUICKLY realizes that merlin has no idea the significance of the sigil. he has no idea theyre married. and arthur has no idea how to tell him bc then hell have to explain WHY he gave him the sigil aka WHY HE PROPOSED and now that hes not staring death in the face. he just. cant.

blah blah blah time skip to happy ending

the druids invite arthur and merlin to a celebration of the unification of emrys and the once and future king and the fruition of their destinies. merlin and arthur are excited bc finally peace is here and magic is returning and this can be the next big show of trust and reconciliation between camelot and the druids and so theyre there in the druid camp having fun when theyre approached and asked to participate in the ceremony. theres a huge buzzing crowd watching as the elder druid ties their hands together and goes on and on about the magnificence of two men standing before them and their great destinies and how the two sides of the same coin are joined finally as the prophecy said all those years ago. merlin doesnt realize it was a handfasting ceremony until hes talking to a few of the druids later on

anyway. merthur accidental wedding(s). now they both know theyre married but they dont know the other knows theyre married bc different ceremonies and traditions and all that. arthur is all awkward about it bc hes emotionally constipated. merlin is convincing himself he doesnt have to bring it up to arthur bc its not like the DRUID marriage ceremony is legally binding in camelot. they didnt sign any papers or anything. theyre not really married in camelot so arthur doesnt have to know. and then merlin can selfishly keep this truth close to his heart. even if its not reciprocated.

married life shenanigans ensue. merlin and arthur both have to physically stop themselves from calling the other their husband. jealous spats when out in the tavern or when visiting royals/nobles stop on by. leon knows all and is this close to snapping. extra protective idiots. and idk someone catches merlin holding the sigil and explains the significance of it or a druid asks arthur where his husband emrys is and my boy is STRESSED about being caught but then the druid brings up the handfasting ceremony. stupid idiot x stupid idiot.

you see my vision, right?

[tiredcowboyy]

sometimes I wake up In a cold sweat thinking about the idea that kilgharrah was just using merlin to get the outcome he wanted which was to end the pendragon bloodline. That he knew how it would end and that without merlin it wouldnt all occur, so he convinces him that all his decisions will help save arthur knowing damn well where it leads them.

[theroundbartable]

Merlin has been brought to the court. The charges have not been cleared to him

Arthur: I hereby declare -

Merlin: *nervous*

Arthur: you're a snack *winks*

Merlin: omg, you need to stop doing this. I keep thinking you're sentencing me to death

Arthur: that happened ONE TIME

Merlin: ಠಿ⁠_⁠ಠ

Arthur: okay, maybe it happened twice. In my defense, you were dressed as an old man and I didn't know it was you

[pandasaurio-espacial]

Even the most loyal of Arthur's people defending Merlin in a magic reveal scenario, not for Merlin's sake but Arthur's is so important to me