#nimueh

[ehlihr]

annual nimueh sketches

[unfortunatelymerlin]

merlin & animal crossing dialogue

[merlin-gifs]

MERLIN | 1x09 “Excallibur”

[rosemarytales]

no hairline was harmed in the making of this post

[justaz]

Mages are drawn to royalty to serve in their court. Balinor was drawn to Uther and Nimueh was drawn to Ygraine. The power level of the mage typically corelates with how remarkable/powerful the royals will/could be.

Whispers were sent around Albion at the Pendragon royals having a Dragonlord and a High Priestess at their sides. Turns out the remarkability of them came upon Albion as the persecution and oppression and slaughtering of all mages and magical creatures.

Emrys is drawn to Arthur Pendragon.

When that gets out...

[flowerynameslover]

[twistedshipper]

high priestesses + fire

[princess-of-morkva]

So I had this concept that i like to call

'Arthur as a YA Chosen One protagonist cliche'

Some time after the Purge started, little baby Arthur is stolen from his crib.

Maybe by Nimueh? Maybe she learns about the prophesy or simply acts on the Goddess's will as her Priestess.

So she leaves him somewhere to be brought up as an ordinary child. Maybe in some village. Maybe amongst druids, even.

That way, he grows up just like any other kid. He's not Arthur Pendragon, he's not a prince - he us just Arthur.

And when he is fourteen he finds a funny looking sword sticking out of a stone in the woods somewhere. And turns out he has some grand destiny and is actually the Kings son - but the King has gone mad and people are suffering, and it's now his responsibility to overthrow a father he just found out he had and become a King.

At fourteen.

And then some epic adventures happen and it all comes in three or five or something parts, each of them named 'Arthur Pendragon and the *insert major plot point of the book*'

('Arthur Pendragon and the Sword that got stuck' ; 'Arthur Pendragon and the Weird coin metaphor' ; 'Arthur Pendragon and the Mystery of a basement lizard')

Somewhere along the way he will find:

a long lost sister (who is morally ambiguous and has prophetic visions)

a boy who immediately becomes his best friend and definitely-nothing-more (and increasingly strange things keep happening around him)

a boy who has ran away from home and lives by the way of sword and trouble (and where did a commoner learn that kind of sword technic?)

a sweet girl who's father has been wrongly executed by the king who now has left home in search of her runaway brother (she was actually supposed to go live with her relatives in a distant village but- life had other plans)

a boy who wants to be a knight and is stupid brave (owns exactly one dirty short but his old ass sword is somehow spotless)

and many more exciting friends and enemies alike

also there's a dragon at some point

And together they have to defeat an evil king, some other bad guys, uncover some old secrets and save the world (!)

Somebody please write this, even as a crackfic this would be so perfect

Merlin characters but instead of stupid repressed young adults they're all stupid repressed hormonal teenagers on a world-saving quest percy jackson style

Cheesy power of friendship is absolutely mandatory btw

[morganaconda]

[starrstruck-xx]

a long rambling/idea/rant of how i want bbc merlin plot to go

Season 1

General: stays the same (light-hearted season) but merlin starts to question gaius and kilgharrah, empathizes with morgana. Elyan is introduced somewhere between episodes. Gwen father didn’t die. Mordred ISN’T introduced yet. Morgana is gaslighted by merlin + gaius (not forever i swear guys)

Finale: merlin vs nimueh (epic battle this time), merlin is almost close to loosing but gaius helps him, however nimueh survives

Season 2

General: introduction of mordred on the second ep (merlin hates him), ep 1 is abt balinor (mentor figure for merlin + should meet with hunnith), arthur finds out abt ygraine (and yes merlin lied abt it) + starts questioning uther, we got more arthur’s pov when merlin is at the ‘tavern’ (episodes where merlin is not there and focuses on arthur instead), morgana finds out abt her magic. Freya + gwen romance plotline happened. Percival + Gwaine introduction, merthur kiss but they never acknowledge it (yep they’re in denial)

Finale: kilgharrah lost hope of merlin so he turns to nimueh (in a hidden scene nimueh told arthur the truth abt his birth), nimueh + uther battle (but nimueh lost NOO), balinor DIES, merlin stops kilgharrah, glimpse of morgause (at the ep end). Morgana made a decision to kill uther

Season 3

General: aithusa is born (morgana + kilgharrah + merlin really likes her), morgana villain arc (she finds out that merlin is gatekeeping magic from her + merlin trying to kill mordred lmao), either morgwen romance or gwencelot (i can’t choose), gwen’s father died, this season = gwen’s arc

Finale: magic reveal, uther’s death, morgouse + morgana attacked the castle, morgana and morgouse fighting + breaking of to their own path (morgana realizes morgause is kind of twisted evil)

Season 4

General: arthur banning merlin from camelot (merlin runaway arc), arthur + gwen + the knights running the kingdom, morgana redemption arc, morgouse + aggravaine becomes main villain, political shit in camelot (like other kingdom who also despises sorcery/power manipulation, an in-depth look of other kingdoms), GAIUS DIES, hunnith + aithusa + kilgharrah scenes, mordred + merlin + morgana bonding, ygraine scenes, arthur trying to forget merlin but CANT, oh and aggravaine is also a villain here but he actually has personality and pure evil, arthur getting excalibur, arthur is really struggling to find himself here (to be like his father or follows his heart). Btw merlin is there and it shows every time magic related enemies attacks camelot/everytime arthur is about to die really but he’s literally in the shadows now and arthur pretends not to notice

Finale: morgause + aggravaine attacking the kingdom, arthur accepts + forgiving merlin + morgana back and assign them as court sorceress + court physician, hunnith scenes, arthur tolerating magic, adopting mordred (apology for killing his father lol), probably adopting aithusa

Season 5

General: arthur lifts the ban against magic, marrying merlin, cendred is a villain here (however he is introduced in s4), merlin GETTING A STAFF (also introduced in previous seasons but he’s worthy of it here, arthur made it btw and it’s a power up for melrin)

Finale: morgause + cendred finale attack, a few deaths (they won thoe cuz this is the good ending)

End:

Camelot brings a new era (symbolizing change)

Arthur: King

Merlin: consort/court dragonlord with titles like “king arthur’s shadow”

Gwen: Court Advisor/head of the house

Morgana: Court Sorceress

Aithusa: Court Dragon

Why i think merthur should be canon:

1) they’re gay

2) real reason: so i think its good for the plot too since magic is a euphemism for gay, relates to the theme of arthur bringing change to camelot but other than marrying a servant, he marries a MALE servant who has magic ☺️🫶😘🙏

Series ends with everyone at the roundtable, gathering for a meeting

Okay that’s it let me know what you want to change 🥰

**This rambling is now updated, check it out here:

To find my other ramblings about this AU, filter with the hashtag #must we really rely on fate?

[ehlihr]

Nimueh sketches

[glueandmorphemes]

really in love with the way they just talk gibberish for incantations and make one name really really clear actually, it's making me die laughing

[merlin-gifs]

Live Gaius Reaction

MERLIN | 1x04 "The Poisoned Chalice"

[evadne01]

Merlin Masterlist Part 2

You can't always threaten nobles!

Merlin tries to advise Arthur. Arthur, as usual, misunderstands.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

This is not what I meant

Arthur carries out his plan. Merlin is not impressed

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

What do you mean you are my servant?

Every noble needs his servant. Merlin isn't happy about it.

George & Merlin

No, this is enough!

Arthur has another idea. Merlin is very tired about this.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

You see? Stupid wounds

Arthur needs to be healed. Merlin turns out to be an extremely competent physician.

Arthur is impressed. And he has an idea.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Desperate attempt

Arthur finds his servant missing. Agravaine reflects on his actions.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Knights of the Round Table & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen & Arthur Pendragon, Agravaine & Morgana

Discovering new sides of ourselves

Merlin's magic has its own mind.

What you did to Agravaine?... Sorry, Steven?

Merlin and Morgana. The Knoghts, Arthur, Merlin and Morgana.

Merlin & Morgana, Merlin & The Knights of the Round Table, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

You don't have to be afraid anymore

Arthur makes a decision after saving Merlin and finding his sister.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Morgana

King and king

Arthur has his latest idea. This time Merlin has nothing against it.

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Secret Stalker

Merlin has a secret stalker. No matter that his two best friends told him it is a secret admirer. He knows the difference.

Gwen & Merlin, Lancelot & Merlin, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Lancelot

Till next time, my brave honeysuckle

Gwaine episode from Merlin's and Gwaine's pov

Gwaine/Merlin

Where are you? ~ Please, don't leave me

Arthur discovers that his servant has not come to wake him and, at dawn, runs throughout the castle looking for him.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Why I hate hunting

During a hunt, the knights and Merlin are stuck in a cave and must say the thing that weighs most on their minds.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Merlin & The Knights of the Round Table, The Knights of the Round Table & Arthur Pendragon

Sweet persuasion

In his attempt to keep Arthur safe, Merlin uses Gwen's advice: sweet persuasion.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen & Merlin

The knight and the king

A deleted scene in A Servant of No Master. Arthur and Gwaine look for Merlin

Gwaine/Merlin, Merlin&Arthur Pendragon

I thought I knew you

After Gaius exposed Merlin as a sorcerer, Arthur needs to talk with him.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

I can show you incredible things

Post-magic reveal, Arthur learns about Merlin's magic and their relationship suffers.

Both of them are scared and sad.

This until during a hunt, Merlin saves Arthur from a spell and becomes his kid self.

How will Arthur react to his friend's (or something more?) fear?

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Drylic and scamu

Merlin and Lancelot deleted scene in the Darkest hour.

Merlin talks about his magic, and Lancelot sees him

Lancelot & Merlin

Protecting the youngest

After Merlin is fired and Cedric takes his place, the servants and Morgana has something to say.

Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Morgana, Servants & Merlin, Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

How it should have gone

But that was not their destiny, and Arianrhod decided to give them a new one.

What do you do when you have a second chance to fix everything? Trust your friends

Gwen & Merlin, Lancelot & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

My most loyal friend

After reclaiming Camelot from Morgana, Arthur rewards his most loyal friend.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

You were supposed to be dead

After the Veil, Merlin finds an old friend. The only problem: he shouldn't be alive.

Merlin is happy, the knights curios and Arthur just tired.

Merlin & Will, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Clover and Confessions

In the midst of a hunting trip, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find healing herbs for Merlin's toothache.

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Forged Allegiance

Lancelot and Merlin talk. And then, they find the Round Table.

It's the start of a new Era

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Lancelot & Merlin

What kind of love do you have? 

The love life of Gwen and Merlin.

Or: the two servants that made fall in love the most powerful people in Camelot

Gwen/Morgana, Gwen & Merlin & Morgana, Knights of the Round Table/Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Flowers and Jealousy 

Merlin's gestures of affection towards Morgana are too dangerous for the servant. Arthur is not jealous, at all.

Even if he is trying to kill the other one with his eyes.

Merlin & Morgana, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

A broken bond

Merlin was rejected another time by one of his soulmates.

Arthur wants to help his friend.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Arthur Pendragon, Gwen & Merlin, Knights/Merlin

Destiny could change, our nature never 

Merlyn had believed the Great Dragon when he told her that it was her destiny to protect Arthur Pendragon.

She had believed him when he said they were two halves of one whole, that they couldn't be separated.

She had believed him when he told her that they shared a great and splendid destiny together, the golden age.

But how could she believe him, now that he was telling her that she should let a child die for words spoken in fear?

How could she believe him?

Merlyn had to choose: betray the fate they predicted for her and Arthur, or betray herself?

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Merlin & Morgana, Gwen & Merlin, Gwen & Merlin & Morgana & Arthur Pendragon, Merlin & Mordred, Merlin & Will, Hunith & Merlin, Balinor/Hunith, Gaius & Merlin, Druids & Merlin, Lancelot & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Gwaine & Merlin, Merlin & Mithian, Freya/Merlin, Freya & Merlin, Elena & Merlin, Gaius & Hunith, Balinor & Gaius

Fake nobles and revelations

"Oh, no, just strange." Percival shrugged. "There were these girls with very thick and sturdy leather strips and they were like taking measurements?"

Leon blinked. "What do girls need leather strips for?"

Merlin's sudden laughter drew their attention.

"Something amusing, Merlin?" Arthur called him out.

"They're binders." Merlin said, amidst laughter. "They're used to bind their chest."

Knights of the Round Table & Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

How can you not be attracted to me? 

Arthur finds out that Merlin is attracted to men and women.

This isn't a problem, no. The problem is that Merlin isn't attracted to Arthur!

Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Arthur Pendragon, Gwaine/Merlin

A lovely kitten

Merlin is turned into a cat.

Morgana is amused, Arthur and the Knights are in love with him.

Merlin is so done.

Gwen/Morgana, Gwen & Merlin & Morgana, Knights of the Round Table/Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

In a Land of Soulmates

Soulmates AU!

During the Great Purge, Uther Pendragon banished every type of magic, with the only exception of the one shared to all the crown, every crown of every kindom: SoulMate's mark, the one who would have always had your back, something more than a brother, more than a companion. And it doesn't imply romance, but only a strong loyalty and solidariety between the two people.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwaine/Merlin, Lancelot/Merlin, Lancelot & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Morgana, Leon & Merlin, Elyan & Merlin, Merlin & Percival, Balinor/Hunith, Ygraine de Bois/Uther Pendragon

"You and me, love, what do you say?" 

Merlin and Arthur are the heir of the two rival families.

Will they find love? Or will they follow their parents' steps?

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

I'm about to blow ~your mind~ 

Arthur is cursed to 'open his mind'.

The only problem: his mind is open towards his manservant.

Who has a lot of imagination.

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Gaius & Merlin, Gaius & Arthur Pendragon

The fear of losing a friend can often be greater than the fear itself.

Arthur and Merlin talks.

Freya makes them a gift

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

The Omega and the Alpha 

"So, my lady," Merlin leaned in, under the guise of fixing her dress, "shall we overthrow the king together?"

Morgana's eyes sparkled. "Why, Merlin, I thought you'd never ask."

Merlin & Morgana, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

Love is in the air (or maybe, it's just jazz)

Jazz bar, Merlin is approached by the most attractive man he ever saw.

This is the story

Gwaine/Merlin

Guardians of Honor 

In a time of war and magic, Lionel, a knight of Camelot, finds himself indebted to a mysterious young boy named Merlin, whose unexpected display of magic saves his life.

Determined to protect Merlin from the dangers of a kingdom where magic is outlawed, Lionel and his wife, Jaelle, take the boy into their home.

As they navigate the complexities of loyalty, duty, and love, they must keep Merlin's true identity hidden while facing the looming threat of war.

Leon & Merlin, Leon & Leon's Mother, Leon & Leon's Father, Merlin & Leon's Father, Merlin & Leon's Mother, Druids & Merlin

Guardian Angel 

Not everyone is lucky enough to know their guardian angel.

Arthur and the Knights are

Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Thank you 

Some king isn't happy with Merlin, but at least he has friends he could rely on.

Merlin & Morgana, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwaine/Merlin

How to judge a man 

Pre-Canon, a moment between Merlin and his mother Hunith

Hunith & Merlin

There was an idea

Before Merlin could change his mind, he went to his dating app, and changed his bio.

Looking for someone to take to couples therapy and see how long it takes for the therapist to notice we don't know each other

Glad to have a plan for later, Merlin happily went back to studying.

Freya & Merlin & Will, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Past enemy and current pains 

Gwaine meets someone from his past. Fortunately, he isn't the same person anymore

Gwaine & Knights of the Round Table, Gwaine & Merlin, Gwaine & Arthur Pendragon

Orders, curly hair and fake nobles ~ how Leon and Gwaine met

The Knights learn how Leon and Gwaine first met.

Gwaine is still insulted for that meeting

Gwaine & Merlin, Knights of the Round Table Friendship

A gift and a lady ~ how Gwen and Morgana met

Gwen and Morgana first meeting

Gwen & Morgana

In the shadows of the sorcerer

What if Cornelius Sigan doesn't disappear in one night? What if Kilgharrah doesn't know what the spell is going really going to do?

What if Merlin gets more help?

Yes, what if?

Gaius & Merlin, Kilgharrah & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

(Are you sure you) Love Me ((say you) Love Me Remix) 

Merlin still can’t really believe Arthur wants to marry him, or that he loves him.

Probably, is Arthur's fault anyway

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Do you remember the first time I kissed you?

Arthur and Merlin's first and last kiss

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

The king of my heart 

Gwaine and Merlin share a sweet moment

Gwaine/Merlin

Living up their expectations 

Merlin and Arthur talk about thei desire and need to make their fathers proud.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Maybe the next time

Merlin was really starting to hate that shirt.

Usually, he only wore the red shirt on special occasions. Like the first day of a new season, or when it was someone dear's birthday, or when Gaius took him to do something for the first time.

Now, after wearing the red shirt thirteen times in a row, he hated it.

Lancelot & Merlin, Lancelot/Merlin

Do you like my accent? 

Merlin, the Knights and Arthur spend some time together

Gwen/Morgana, Knights of the Round Table/Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Emrys and the three Queens

Arthur overhear Merlin's conversation with Agravaine.

Things change.

Merlin & Morgana

I like when you protect me 

Well, Merlin had been warned.

Indirectly, from the protective glances of the Knights.

Directly, from Morgana and Gwen's comments.

Now, he could only try to limit the damage.

Gwaine/Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Morgana

Never alone again 

Gwaine realised that Merlin was hiding something.

And in a panic, Merlin denied it and hid behind more lies.

How could their relationship be based on lies?

Gwaine/Merlin, Gwen & Merlin

No. I have magic. 

A magic reveal with a twist.

Gwaine/Merlin, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

I will always protect Merlin

Gwaine decides to reveal his heritage to Uther

Gwaine/Merlin

This isn't the proper purpose!

Gwaine manages to transform the purpose of one method of communication into another. Which is absolutely not the correct one.

Merlin begins to doubt his own choices (as well as Gwen's)

Gwaine/Merlin, Gwen/Arthur Pendragon

The Seneschal of the King 

Merlin and his new role as the seneschal of Arthur

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

“What do you have there?”

Merlin adopts a pet and Morgana is not okay with that

Merlin & Morgana

Guilt and Redemption

Finally, after some delays, King Balinor had managed to conquer Camelot, and to demand his revenge for Uther's bloodthirsty pursuit of magic and all its believers.

Uther Pendragon was dead, and with him, the Purge was over.

Gwaine & Lancelot & Merlin, Gwaine & Lancelot & Percival, Balinor/Hunith, Balinor & Hunith & Merlin, Merlin & Nimueh, Gwen & Morgana, Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

Letters from a friend

A collection of all the letters between Merlin and Lancelot

Lancelot & Merlin

Fatal Unions 

Merlin and Arthur marry after knowing each other for only a few weeks, shortly after Merlin starts working at Arthur's company and receives one promotion after another.

But is there more behind this marriage?

Lancelot & Merlin, Gwaine & Merlin, Gwen & Merlin, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Leon & Arthur Pendragon

Changing Destinies 

For destiny was not engraved in wrought iron.

And Arianrhod had no intention of making her youngest son suffer again.

A whisper, accompanied by a sweet smile and the boy would have been deaf to attempts to evoke distrust and fear in his destiny.

One answered prayer and the boy would never again lose his good heart or doubt his friends.

They would all get a second chance.

Gwaine/Lancelot/Merlin, Gwen/Arthur Pendragon

Echoes of Magic and Nature 

After the lands of Camelot lose their life, it seems that hope for the kingdom is lost for good.

That is until Prince Arthur decides that he would save his people.

But he will not make this journey alone. He will have allies, even in the most unthinkable places.

After all, to heal the wounds made by an impure heart, it is needed the purest of them all.

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Why would I lie when I can tell you the truth? 

Merlin tries to figure out how many people he can admit to having magic without getting caught.

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

This is my favourite cute little cat ~ okay, it's a bastet

Merlin finds a cute little kitten.

Very very huge, with wings.

Okay, maybe it isn't a kitten, but Merlin likes it.

Merlin & Morgana, Freya & Merlin

Please, he's an Alpha!

Merlin is amazed by the new Alpha, and Arthur isn't happy

Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

I just met you

Arthur and Merlin first meeting.

Or: How Arthur fell in love with Merlin

Freya & Merlin & Will, Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

They lived happily and gay ever after

Youtuber Merlin makes his edits on videos.

It follows a discussion about couples in series.

Gwen/Lancelot, Gwen & Merlin, Gwaine & Gwen, Freya & Merlin & Will, Lancelot & Merlin, Gwaine & Merlin

The hunters and the preys

Merlin is been sold by his older brother to the slaves.

This is how he'll escape them

Merlin (Merlin) & Original Female Character

Jealousy, jealosy

Arthur and the knights are jealous of their Omega

Gwen & Merlin & Morgana, Knights of the Round Table & Merlin, Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

The Value of a King

Merlin had been given a choice.

Admitting the truth about what Morgause had said, admitting that Uther was indeed responsible for the Purge and Ygraine's death would have meant freedom for Merlin and for all those who had magic.

But Arthur would suffer.

Lying about the truth, lying about what Uther had done, once again covering the king from the consequences of his own actions… it would have spared Arthur the pain of losing another parent. It would save Uther, a man who had never had compassion for anything or anyone, once again.

It would make Arthur hate magic once and for all.

Make Arthur hate Merlin, the profound nature of what Merlin was, forever.

Gwen & Merlin & Morgana & Arthur Pendragon

The vigilante of Camelot

There is a scoundrel who kills nobles who threaten Arthur, leaves evidence of their guilt in the room and offends Uther every time

Merlin & Morgana

Simply splendid

One of the most important rules that Leon had passed on to Arthur was to be as ready as possible in every possible situation.

Being a prince was a great responsibility, he had said, and always being ready for any occasion was Arthur’s sacred duty as protector of the kingdom and its citizens.

Or:

Arthur tries to test his knights, and instead he starts following his servant around

I'll be worthy of your trust

Arthur had always thought that using magic was for the wicked and weak.

His father had thought so, and Morgana had shown herself capable of anger and violence like few other enemies had ever been.

Arthur couldn't believe that he too was a sorcerer.

Taking care of each other

five times Merlin heals one of the knights + once all of them heal him.

Merlin & Knights of the Round Table

Princess Elena of Gawant

“I had a Sidhe.” Elena murmured. “I was possessed by a Sidhe.”

Merlin nodded. “I'm sorry it took me so long to understand this.”

Elena/Merlin

The Curse of Camelot

Narrator:

"In Camelot, where peace once reigned,

Now a dark shadow has remained.

In the heart of the castle, something's astray,

An ancient presence that won't fade away.

No one was ready for this fateful night,

And no one will ever be, despite their might."

“Promise me you won't look back.”

“Promise me you won't look back.” Arthur said, speaking through the fog.

Merlin swallowed. “You can't ask me that.”

“Merlin, promise me.”

Merlin didn't answer, unable to utter those simple words.

How to fix a bad day

Merlin sighed, casting a longing glance at his refuge for the night.

Going on patrol was always painful, not because of the hours spent on horseback (which didn't help anyway, as it was necessary to maintain a rigid and constant position for a long time), but because of the work Merlin had to do afterwards, while the knights rested.

What happened?

Merlin finds himself in a very different Camelot.

Or: Merlin of season 1 finds himself in late season 4.

Keep it safe

“If the sigil is a proposal, then what does the ring mean?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.  

 

“The ring itself? Nothing,” Arthur reassured him, leaning closer as if drawn by Merlin’s quiet tone. “But that ring, given by me? It means I’m offering you the most fragile, vulnerable part of myself and asking you to keep it safe.”  

Converting a Non-Believer

Merlin knew Arthur was a sports enthusiast.

He had held out hope for him because of the role-playing game Arthur had joined—a sign that he couldn’t be entirely lost to the better ways of life.

Surely, it meant something that he was part of such a profoundly nerdy game.

Arthur could be saved; Merlin was certain of it.

Unfortunately, Arthur seemed allergic to everything Merlin loved.

All the things I do for you

Merlin and Morgana come up with a plan to protect Arthur from the killer of the week

True Love

It was a special kind of torture, Merlin decided, having Freya there. Trapped in a corner of his mind, unable to communicate with the real world, with no hope of escape.

He would never be able to tell Gaius that the cure was impossible to find.

Merlin’s true love was sitting right next to him, long since dead.

Three Hearts at Twilight

The Central Government had long decreed that love was an inefficient distraction, allowing only authorised unions for controlled reproduction. Every emotion was regulated, every desire smothered in the name of perfect order.

Everywhere, screens broadcast the same propaganda: the world as it was now was the triumph of the Golden Age, an era of peace and perfection achieved after the chaos of the past.

In official speeches, the Central Government, through the voice of Morgause—a woman as insipid as she was heartless—claimed to have restored humanity to its original purity, just as the gods had always intended.

Dinner party 

Geoffrey sighed.

There were a lot of people in the room when Uther Pendragon got killed.

There were his relatives, starting with his son, Arthur, his daughter, Morgana, and the two brothers of his wife, Agravaine and Tristan.

There were also Gaius, an old friend of Uther, and his nephew Merlin, who was also the nurse of the old man.

And Gwen, a friend of Morgana, as well as Nimueh and Morgause, the two sisters from mother’s side of Morgana.

A lot of people had a reason to kill Uther.

Do you regret choosing this pill?

“So, you are new here, is that correct?”

Gwaine looked around, frowning when he realised he was in some strange place.

“Someone named L brought me here.” Gwaine muttered. “Is it normal?”

The agent raised one eyebrow. “What is normal?”

“Calling people with the first letter of the name, instead of using the whole name.” Gwaine answered. “Isn't that extremely stupid?”

As Good as we can get it

The banquet at Camelot had been what one might call a true triumph.

For everyone except Arthur.

He had endured an endless string of toasts, insincere smiles, and ill-judged remarks about his impending coronation.

Feel like home

Soulmates identifying marks AU -

Arthur grew up with parents who loved each other, Merlin's were a disaster. Both of their parents are soulmates, but while Arthur idolizes and wants to find his soulmate, Merlin rejects the very idea of that.

A man pure in heart

Anhora breathed out, his gaze resting on the son who was fading away. Another of his pure-hearted creatures disappearing because of glory and hatred, because of ignorance and deceit.

His eyes then shifted to the boy who had held, cradled, the head of Anhora’s son, Estel, in his hands.

“I’m so sorry,” he was whispering, “I’m so very sorry.”

Anhora allowed a faint smile to disturb his solemn expression, a glimmer of light in the grim darkness.

At least, he thought, someone who still cared did exist.

“Arthur Pendragon,” Anhora spoke to the soul of the hunter who had just arrived, a look of pride of the kill he had just made, killing an innocent with his actions, “the judgment of your heart has only just begun.”

We’ll see what kind of friend you are, he thought, vanishing as the boy’s blue gaze found him.

See you again next life

The time that merthur antics brought Leon (and the other knights) to therapy

My only mate

Jealous Alpha Arthur and Amused Omega Merlin.

Without you I'm in the dark 

After Gwen is banished, Arthur becomes more of an arse. One day, Merlin has enough of his attitudine and leaves for a walk.

An unplanned kidnapping leads to feelings realisation.

Back to General Masterlist

[justaz]

ygraine gives birth to a quiet child. the babe does not scream, cry, or wail when it is born. one of the midwives take the bloody babe and holds it against her chest and she rubs its back and urges it to breathe. gaius is hidden beneath her dress and he tends to her wounds that sap her strength with every gush of blood. nimueh sits beside her, holding her hand as she takes in gasping breaths, recovering from the painful and exhausting ordeal of birthing a child. nimueh’s hand is running through her hair as she whispers praises in her ear that she cannot hear.

the room begins to darken as she leans against nimueh. her vision tunnels to a golden scene hovering in the air above her. she sees a young man with golden hair and bright blue eyes. he sits atop a throne with a golden crown nestled on his head. beside him is a figure that is obscured, their features hidden from her view but she can tell they are powerful. the image in the air shifts between the two people, flipping like a coin in the air, the golden king on one side and the cloaked figure on the other. the coin slowly picks up speed until the two figures blur together.

from the distorted image, three women appear and whisper a prophecy to her, a familiar one that has been told for millennia - more a fairy tale now than the words of a seer. as the women speak each line of the prophecy, one after the other, their voices combine into one as they whisper to her “behold the once and future king, arthur pendragon”

“do you see that?” she feels herself mumble as the three women disappear and the coin begins to slow once more. the two men come back into view, now side by side, “oh, its beautiful,” she murmurs, “look at him, nimueh. my son, my son…so beautiful.” arthur shifts his gaze to meet her own and suddenly the golden visage begins to rot. his regal robes fall apart, his crown rusts, the castle around him begins to decay and collapse into rubble.

arthur begins to cry like a child, unfitting for a man of his age. he shrinks to a young boy, perhaps seven, and stands next to his father, uther, as he addresses a crowd. he stands tall and proud though it is clear something has happened. his expression is cold and unfeeling until his gaze shifts down to someone in the square and pure hatred fills his eyes. the vision moves back and allows ygraine to watch as a young woman is tied to a pyre, screaming and crying and begging and pleading for her life.

“this woman has been found guilty for the crime of sorcery,” uther’s voice commands attention though his words make no sense to her. sorcery a crime? what nonsense. uther continues, “for such a crime, the punishment is and will always be death.” he nods down at the executioner who ushers forward and lights the wood of the pyre. knights follow suit and soon the woman is screaming in agony as flames engulf her.

arthur lowers his head and averts his gaze but uther grabs his chin and pulls his face up, “watch,” he orders him, “they killed your mother. they deserve this.” young arthur has tears in his eyes but he does not let them fall. he squares his shoulders and stares down at the woman as she is burnt to a crisp. when the screaming finally stops, young arthur shifts his gaze up to hers.

“i’m sorry,” he whispers, “please, save me.”

ygraine can hear her cries as the vision dissipates, her wails and denials. nimueh holds her close and whispers how she needs patience, her child will breathe yet. ygraine feels even more of her strength sap away and she understands. the deal uther made with nimueh, it called for a death to create a life. she knows now that it is her life that will be reaped in exchange. she does not have time to weep.

she turns to nimueh, “protect him,” she squeezes her hand, “you have to protect him.” she pleads. nimueh does not understand. how could she? ygraine squeezes her hand harder than she had in childbirth, “promise me, nimueh. you won’t let uther corrupt him. you won’t let him harm my son.” nimueh looks down at gaius who peeks over her dress, sorrow in his gaze and shakes his head. ygraine sobs once more, “promise me, nimueh!”

the high priestess turns back to her, “i promise, my lady, but rest assured king uther will not harm a hair on your child’s head.”

ygraine shakes her head, her body has gone numb, “you don’t understand. he will never be the same. you have to protect him. you have to protect arthur.”

nimueh nods, her expression trouble, “i promise, ygraine. i will protect arthur.”

ygraine smiles through her tears, the pain and sorrow fading as she grew weaker. nimueh’s expression grows panicked but the last thing she hears is her beautiful son’s cries.

nimueh didn’t understand ygraine’s wish until uther learned of his wife’s fate. she had expected sobbing, falling to his knees, or begging the gods. she didn’t expect the rage, though it was understandable, and she definitely didn’t expect the vitriol he spat at her, blaming her for ygraine’s passing. despite the protests that fell from her lips, she knew he was right. it was her magic from a deal she offered him that took her life.

her magic claimed ygraine’s life in her chambers. she held her in her arms as she died and could do nothing to save her. the last thing she saw when she died was nimueh, helpless to do anything to stop what she had put in motion.

uther called for his guards to round up all magic users and have them punished. gaius, a man who was always a bit selfish, surrendered to uther, denounced sorcery and magic and was forgiven for his past “treachery”. when he turned to nimueh, she knew even if she had denounced magic, he would never forgive her for what happened. he ordered his guards to have her taken to the dungeons in cold iron and spat that she would burn in the morning.

it didn’t take much magic to disappear from the throne room and reappear out in the halls. she strode through the castle up to the nursery where little arthur was to reside. something in uther shattered in that room, he cursed magic users and called them monsters, beasts meant to be hunted and killed. she wouldn’t know if he truly meant to go through with it until the first execution but she was not waiting that long.

ygraine’s last wish had been for her to protect arthur, to protect him from his father. when she had said that, she had assumed the queen was delirious from pain and blood loss. now she understood. the triple goddess had blessed her with knowledge before her passing. and with that knowledge, she begged nimueh to protect arthur from uther. nimueh would not wait until it was too late, she would not sit back and let fate have it’s way, she would not let ygraine down again.

nimueh greeted the wetnurse with a smile. the woman smiled kindly up at her and she politely requested arthur and asked her to leave. the woman was hesitant but a subtle spell over her mind guided her out and away from the room. nimueh stared down at little arthur’s face. he had thin strands of white hair that was sure to thicken and darken as he grew. he had ygraine’s nose and lips. when he blinked his eyes open it was like she was staring down at the late queen.

the sound of guards pounding down the hall alerted her of her precarious situation once more and she did not waste another second before fleeing. she held arthur tight to her chest as she fled the castle and wormed her way through the citadel. no one looked twice at her, the average citizen unaware that their queen had had a child and died just that morning.

nimueh traveled as fast as she could back to her island. she warned her sisters that resided on the island of what uther meant to do. they did not take his threats seriously until they scried and saw uther slaughtering hundreds of magic users in the coming weeks. nimueh and her sisters helped raise arthur until an attack was launched on the isle itself. she and arthur remained under the castle while the other high priestesses fought back against the armies storming their home. one of her sisters stumbled down into the room, beaten and bloodied.

“they’ve won,” she slurred, “the isle of the blessed has fallen. you must go, protect the child. do not let him fall into uther’s hands.” she cast her magic to form a gateway for nimueh and arthur, “i do not have much strength to hold this, sister. go now.” nimueh left her home behind. she heard two weeks later that the castle had been burnt and crumbled to rubble.

nimueh and arthur traveled the land, hopping from place to place and never settling for long as camelot knights were soon to follow. arthur grew quicker than she thought possible and she knew she had to settle down somewhere, yet she knew that if she were to settle in a village or town, it would only be a matter of time before camelot found them.

it took time and energy and lots of magic, but she created a cottage in the woods, hidden by wards to divert any visitors. she and arthur both learned to live off the land, to grow what they needed and survive on their own. he always found her magic fascinating and loved to watch her cast spells. since he was born from a deal she made, his very being was fused together with her own magic, marking him as hers.

he called her mama and she called him son. she told him of his other mother, ygraine, of how she gave birth to him but perished before she could meet him. she told him that she knew ygraine was proud of him because she was proud of him. arthur always wished to explore the world outside of their haven but nimueh’s paranoia kept him close.

it wasn’t until one day when arthur was ten that something changed. nimueh had been on her way out to tend to their crops when she heard arthur laughing and playing. she smiled to herself as she continued on her way. until she heard another voice, a higher voice belonging to what sounded like a child.

nimueh dropped her tools and rushed around the lawn to find arthur on the edge of their haven playing with a boy a couple of years younger than him with a mop of black hair and wide blue eyes. the boy was also inside their haven. he had gotten past her wards. he was dangerous. nimueh dashed forward and grabbed arthur, tugging him behind her as she assessed the boy. arthur complained behind her and begged her to let him stay. the boy stood up on shaky legs and didn’t bother dusting off his trousers.

“hi!” he waved a hand, a goofy smile on his face, “my mom’s busy at the market so i came to play in the woods. arthur and i were just about to play will and i’s favorite game, knight and princess. will always makes me be the princess but arthur wanted to be the princess this time so i really, really, really wanna play with him. do you wanna join? you can be…the dragon guarding the princess!! oh, you already are. are we playing now? hold on, let me get a stick so i can-“

“who are you?” nimueh finally cut off his rambling. she wasn’t sure how a child, or anyone for that matter, could talk so fast and endlessly without taking a breath. her fear eased as she recognized that he truly was just a child, but she still remained wary as he had somehow found his way past her wardings.

“oh, sorry! my mom always says i have to be more polite but i always am so i never understand what she means.” he blinked and shook his head before grinning up at her, showing off his missing tooth in the top corner of his mouth, “i’m merlin!”

[flowerynameslover]