#the knights

[rubysunnday]

MERLIN 15th ANNIVERSARY Favourite Episode: The Coming of Arthur

[sirleonatyourservice]

The knights had a "treason limit" every month

They could commit a certain amount of treason every month without repercussions, and after that they would get in jail for one night each time

[elsewhereuniversity]

The knights dont like the fae. They protect humans. From stealing and magic, hunts and circles, yes, but also from things slipped in drinks. From bruises in the shape of very human hands. They don't like the fae. But. But there is a girl, mascara running from black eyes, and she is clutching her arms and shivering. Her boyfriend shows off his new coat in his iron trunk, bragging. They don't like the fae, but they like men like that less. A knight comes to her door holding her skin and she weeps.

[uwmspeccoll]

Classics Spotlight

This 1928 edition of The Eleven Comedies by Aristophanes was published by American publisher Horace Liveright in a limited edition of 2050. While the translator is unknown, the work was translated from its original Greek to English. Originally published by the Athenian Society, a renowned literary society in London, in 1912, this edition was exclusively available to its subscribers.

It consists of two volumes with chromolithographic plates as well as black and white illustrations created by Belgian artist Jean de Bosschere. His artwork brings the characters and scenes of the comedies to life, enhancing the reader's engagement with the text.

Aristophanes, a playwright from late 5th-century Athens, was known as the "Father of Comedy" for his significant contributions to the genre. His plays, characterized by their satirical and often political nature, set the standard for comedic writing and continue to inspire modern comedians and playwrights.

-- Melissa, Special Collections Classics Intern

View other Classics posts.

[askbensolo]

OH MY GOD YOURE STILL ALIVE. I followed this blog when I was in high-school YEARS AGO. I'm glad ur still around!!!! hope ur doing well <3

Hey anon! Great to see you again—the Ben fan club seems to be way smaller now (eh, that’s fair, I got old and boring) but it’s so exciting to catch up with my OG pals and hear that you’re still out there too! Glad to hear that you (like me) made it to your twenties!

Oh my Force, total flashback. Remember when I started The Knights? The Knights of Ben or Ren or whatever? The “I hate puberty” club? We can bring it back and make it the “I go to bed at 10pm now and live for the weekly free item at the grocery store” gang.

[reekin00s]

Very very veeeery late bday art for the queen

[jackbatchelor3]

Digital Spy spoilers for Peter's return.

[prue84]

(Hakka & Dragoneyes’s) Merlin AUs  |  Royal (dragon) husbands

AU in which a series of canon divergences lead to Arthur surviving the mortal wound inflicted him by Mordred at Camlann and, with the help of Merlin who then becomes his Prince Consort, bringing the golden age foretold by the prophecies.

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Part I, Chapter 01 [1/8]

1st canon divergence, Lancelot du Lac: Lancelot's selfless sacrifice is rewarded.

Lancelot is returned by magic, instead of necromancy, to fulfil his destiny at Arthur's side. And what seemed to be the written fate of Camelot is changed.

(Ficlet and links to AO3/SquidgeWorld under the read more) (More Royal Dragon Husbands AU here)

The triangle of love

Through the sacrifice of her sister Morgause, who happily gives up her life in a last gesture of both love and revenge, Morgana tears open the Veil between the worlds, bringing chaos and pain throughout the realm of mortals. To seal the Veil again, another sacrifice has to be made: a sacrifice that Arthur is ready to make and Merlin is set to prevent. Lancelot, the bravest and most noble of them all, to save the lives of his king and his friend Merlin, steps through the Veil instead, thus restoring the equilibrium. The ultimate sacrifice of the knight is greatly mourned by all the people Lancelot's presence has touched during his stay at Camelot, its weight forever heavy on the shoulders of three people who blame themselves for Lancelot's ultimate choice. * Months later happiness has returned to embrace Camelot. Arthur's grief for the tragic loss of his father is fading, and he feels it has finally come the time for the woman he loves to be officially introduced to the court. Trusting his counsel, Arthur confesses his uncle Agravaine that he wishes to marry Guinevere, and plans to soon propose. Caution, suggests Agravaine, wait for the mourning to end. The way must be paved first, for a court to accept a servant as their future queen. Patience, the uncle says. But the treacherous Agravaine, distressed for the worrisome development, is quick to inform the one he pledged his loyalty to, Morgana Pendragon. The Witch shudders, for the dreams that plague her sleep are about to become reality. She will not allow for a servant to sit on her throne, and Morgana knows how to prevent the dreaded images from happen. Morgana was friends to Guinevere, Morgana knew Guinevere's secrets. Morgana will use those secrets to strike at Guinevere, where Guinevere hurts the most. When she laid on the brink of death after her encounter with Emrys, Morgana met her sister Morgause in the Spirit World. In her hand, Morgause had a coin to offer, the price of a soul. Morgana held to the precious artefact, in the hopes to perhaps one day find a way to return her beloved sister to life, to rescue her from the darkness of the existence in the world of the spirits. But Morgana must stop Guinevere from becoming queen of Camelot, and she knows only one way to prevent it. The Dochraid has spoken, revealing the true power of the magical coin, offering the promise of owning the very soul of a mortal, a slave to a mistress. Morgana reaches for the Pool of Nemhain, the Last of The Five Gateways that separate the world of the mortals from the world of the dead, and tosses the coin into the dark waters. But it's not a man who raises from the waters. It's a woman instead, clothed in a black cloak and bearing a staff, the fabric pitch black as the still water of the lake. Not a woman, a deity. A goddess Morgana already knows, for they have met once. The Cailleach, gatekeeper to the Spirit World. She has words to say, and a warning: her most treasured wish will be fulfilled, but the human male will not be the means to achieve it, for the one who has died will not be a Shade to be brought back to the land of the livings. Morgana does not understand, for she has followed the Dochraid instructions, and a coin has been paid for a soul, a soul she now owns. But the Cailleach can not be forced, for not even a High Priestess has such a power as the one the Cailleach wields. If the Cailleach does not want for a dead human to leave her domain, not even the last High Priestess of the Old Religion can force her. Morgana weeps for the coin she lost, for the ownership she has been denied, for a sister she will never rescue, but agrees to leave. The Cailleach has spoken, Morgana trust her wish will be fulfilled. That the Old Religion itself will prevent Guinevere from marrying Arthur and ascend to a throne that isn't hers to own. But the price has been paid, a soul is allowed to leave the Spirit World. Not as a Shade, but in flesh and spirit – whole as when death has claimed them. From the stillness a man emerges. Naked and confused, a kind voice still ringing in his head. Blurred memories but a mission. Return home, return to where his place is. It takes days, weeks, but an extraordinary surprise awaits Camelot: Sir Lancelot, the man who had offered his life to save the kingdom, has returned. Little he knows about the how and why he has been allowed back into the realm of the mortals: he only remembers the warm embrace of waters shining of silver, and a warm voice explaining him that his destiny was not fulfilled, that he wasn't meant to die yet. His noble sacrifice showed the truest nature of his heart, that feminine voice said, and he was granted another chance to live his life as brave and fair man between mortals. And thus he awoke again, and he was laying on the shores of a lake, with the urgency to find his way back to Camelot, the knowledge that his destiny is entwined to the fate of the one he twice left a prince and now finds a king. A return such as his is unprecedented, for nobody can cross the Veil – not in the opposite direction than the only one nature commands. Merlin, suspicious, looks in his books for a way to explain what looks a miracle. Necromancy, is the answer to his search. A way to reveal the true nature of a Shade. Merlin dreads the moment when Lancelot will walk on the mark, dreads to see the painted spiral glow. But the magic symbol doesn't react when Lancelot walks over the circle. The Lancelot leaving Merlin's room is whole – the one and only Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot. The miracle is welcomed by his old friends the knights, who rejoice for the chance to have their group whole again, as is welcomed by the king, who is given the opportunity to properly thank the hero who saved Camelot. As for Merlin, he has been given back the only guardian of his magical secret and is lonely no more. But the unexpected return means the most to Guinevere, who carried on her small but strong shoulders the weight of those last words, that plead she imposed on Lancelot. Arthur would not be alive, for it weren't for Lancelot's sacrifice. But his return also awakens old feelings that were believed forgotten. As days and then weeks pass by, and as Arthur grows the courage to stand against his uncle and share what is now his decision, Gwen grows uncertain of her feelings, torn between the man she promised herself to, and the one she can't forget. Lancelot anguishes in silence over a woman he never deemed himself worthy of, resigned to forever be the silent guardian, devoted to his lady and quiet in his love. Arthur, unsuspecting, is making preparations to propose to Gwen and then introduce her to the court as the woman who shall be their queen. Merlin, the shadow that all sees, watches from afar, unable to stand further as three of his dearest friends struggle, their lives entwined in an rope that threatens to choke them all. Lancelot, noble soul, deserves his chance at happiness, he shouldn't settle for the sidelines, resigned himself once again in a self-imposed sacrifice out of a misplaced sense of loyalty. Gwen, a heart full of love, has the right to choose her own future, to make an informed choice, entitled the freedom of picking her own path without anyone meddling, without anyone making that choice for her. Arthur, the beloved king, should never have to lay awake at night, wondering if the woman sleeping at his side picked him out of a lack of choice, believing that he will forever be the second best, nor he should never doubt his trust for a knight, in fear his best one holds the hearth of his queen. Merlin, the shadow that fights against fate itself, decides it is come the time for Lancelot and Guinevere to confront each other, to bare their hearts. Twice Lancelot fled from an honest talk, twice Gwen was forbidden to face his first love and understand if she was ready to let him go and for Arthur to take his place. Twice Lancelot backed down, for Arthur to pave the way in Guinevere's heart. A miracle has happened, and neither Lancelot nor Guinevere can waste such a precious gift. Arthur is planning to propose to Gwen against his uncle's advice, Merlin knows about it. Merlin will not allow for Guinevere to say yes to then break Arthur's heart, if she isn't the utmost confident in where her feelings lay. Merlin will be subtle, will halt Arthur's hand and delay the romantic date in which Arthur will offer Gwen a ring, but he cannot stop Arthur forever. Lancelot and Guinevere must talk. It is with wisdom that Merlin speaks, and two friends are persuaded into the confrontation they both needed and avoided. Gwen, blessed her pure soul, reveals the bitterness she tried to stifle. Despite the years passed since, she never forgave Lancelot for leaving her without a word after everything they shared at the castle of the outlaw Hengist, she still can't forgive him for their moments of tenderness, the closeness, the love confessions in light of certain death, for making her feel loved, for making her feel conflicted, to then take everything away, leaving her alone and hurting. She can't forgive him for how he returned for Merlin and how he staid for Arthur – never for her. She can't forgive Lancelot for how he treated her like a lady to respect and cherish, she can't forgive him for making her feel like a silly, fool girl, holding on to a love hindered by destiny itself. Her whole life was influenced, changed, by his selfish decisions, pushed toward the dream of marrying a king after she had been brutally rejected a future with a man she had once truly loved. She loves Arthur with her whole being, but she can't seem to just forget what she felt for that man that was brought to her house in dire need of an armour. Lancelot, forced to this confrontation, can't withhold the truth he kept close to his heart since his return for the battle of Camelot: Guinevere is the love of his life, the woman his heart will forever belong to, but every time destiny brought them together, he elected to withdraw and fade in the shadows, so she could find happiness with a better man – at Arthur's side. Gwen is furious. Lancelot's decision deprived her of her own agency, he didn't have any right to choose for her who she wanted to love. For, if Lancelot hadn't left that one time, she might have reconsidered her relationship with Arthur. She would've chosen him – him, not Arthur. This is a reveal for the both of them, but especially for Gwen. And then the hard truth buried within the deepest, darkest corner of her thoughts, is brought to the surface. And it's a relief, after the pain, after the guilt weighting on her heart, after the sense of unworthiness toward a man who had been ready to give up his throne, his crown, his people, his whole world, just for her. She might be a servant harbouring dreams too big for her humble origins, but dumb Guinevere is not. It's easy now for her to admit that what she has with Arthur is a fairy tale that shouldn't be, for a servant can love a king, and a king can love a servant, but a kingdom cannot be ruled by a servant. Torn between the love for a knight – or a man who dreamed to become a knight – and a king – or a prince that was to become a king – she was deprived of a choice, and Lancelot is responsible for what she now knows had been the wrong choice. She's the daughter of a smith, she knows the name for each part of an armour and could help a knight to dress up better than a manservant could, but she knows nothing about politics or what's expected from a ruler. She knows empathy, she does not know how to be harsh. She knows how to wield a sword and even kill to protect an innocent, but she does not think she would ever learn how to harden her hearth and send someone to death for the safety of a kingdom. She loves Arthur with all her life, and she ever will, but they should've never been. Arthur might belong to her, but Arthur also belong to Camelot, Arthur is and will always be married to a land and its people as much as he will be to a woman. Arthur accepts her – and wants her – for everything she is, virtues and flaws, but Camelot will not. Camelot will always come between them, the needs of Camelot will tear them apart. Duty and love cannot coexist, Uther was right, in his brutal honesty. And she could never survive, should Arthur be forced to choose between her and his rightful, best destiny. Not privy to the nature of the feelings Guinevere, her beloved Gwen, still harbours for the noblest of his knights, it is a rude awakening for Arthur when Guinevere sits down with him and talks. Unable to deceive Arthur, she tells him everything, about Lancelot, about the pain she had felt the two times he left her and the happiness that washed over her when he, against all odds, returned. She tells Arthur about how her heart belongs to two men she loves with the same intensity, how she is pulled in two directions and how she fears to be torn in two pieces. She tells him about how, for as much as her heart can beat for two men, only for one she can be a proper wife. She doesn't want to be the reason why Arthur lost the trust of his people, she doesn't want to be the reason why Arthur acted like a tyrant, imposing his own wish on a resentful court, not the reason for why Arthur fought with his most trusted counsellors or found himself alone surrounded by enemies in his own castle. She doesn't want to put Arthur in the position of choosing between love and duty – he was meant to rule, and he will be a good king, she won't come between that. She won't deprive Camelot of a golden age, just to please herself and fulfil her selfish wishes – for she is but a woman, and the well-being of the people of Camelot comes first. It pains her to know they never had a chance, yes, and she is aware that a price will be paid, for feelings cannot be ripped from one's heart without suffering occurring, but with resolution she found an internal peace and she feels her is and will be the rightful choice. For the both of them. She regrets nothing but hurting him, and she'll understand if he'll hate her. She just hopes that, in time, he'll be able to forgive her and, perhaps, remember with fondness their love. Arthur's heart is broken, but he cannot find in himself the will to hate the woman he offered his heart to, nor a man who had been nothing but utmost loyal and generous since the first time they had met – a man Arthur can say he loves as much as Guinevere, though in a different way. There is nothing Arthur can blame on Guinevere: she cannot fault her for the same trait that drew him to her. Her candour is what started it all, the servant who ventured to reprimand a prince's manners, her candour is what now puts an end to it all, the torn lover who bravely confesses her secrets and faces the consequences, when leaving everything as it was would've been the easiest path. Arthur's heart is broken, but Gwen's sincerity and bravery deserves equal bravery from him, thus he agrees to let her go. As friends. It would be unbecoming to act out of spite, and Guinevere does not deserve as such. Arthur's heart is broken, but Arthur thus agrees to amicably break up a relationship that had been the utmost discreet so far, grateful for Guinevere's deep sense of loyalty. Grateful that she approached the subject before he could make the mistake of making their relationship official. Reputations of kings don't do well after a marriage pact is broken by the other party without political reason at play. The reputation of a king would not survive unscathed if the one taking the decision to break up is a fiancée of no-noble origins. Arthur Pendragon the king would survive anyway, though battered in honour and soul, but not Arthur the man. He listened to Merlin's advices, and Arthur is thankful for the way his friend suggested to not rush into the date Arthur had been planning. Grateful that he decided to apply patience for once. His heart would've never recovered, had Guinevere revealed her indecision during his proposal. To respect a man whom she still loves and will be forever dearest to her, Gwen decides to not immediately throw herself in Lancelot's arms, and the knight does his best to be nothing but noble in his feelings for the woman, so much so to ask Arthur permission to date Guinevere. He is willing to leave the kingdom, if the king he has sworn loyalty to won't be able to tolerate his presence. Aware of the toll he would ask them should he show his displeasure, Arthur gives his blessing to the blossoming new relationship between two of his dearest souls, wishing them both to find together the happiness they deserve. They do take things slow, Gwen and Lancelot, they wait a reasonable amount of time before officially becoming a couple. Lancelot understands Gwen's heart, never will use Gwen's love for Arthur against her, for she cannot blame her for a love that he feels as well. He accepts Gwen as her whole, her love for Arthur is part of herself and never he will ask her to stop caring for Arthur. Lancelot too cares for Arthur. Arthur is the prince who gave him a chance to be a knight, that twice believed in him, that made him a knight. In deference for Arthur's feelings, Lancelot keeps to a minimum affectionate gestures when in public and Arthur could see them. He is happy, Lancelot, but he does not want for his happiness to become a knife that cuts through Arthur's heart. And Arthur? Arthur will watch from afar, wishing that he too will be able to find a person to love him and him only. The one person that will put him first. * Days from Camelot, in a hut in the woods, Morgana watches a flame crackle, its warmth fending off the coldness in her body, but not the loneliness in her heart. Agravaine has left, Morgana now knows about the latest developments in the life of the little brother she despises so much. Only now, that the game has played out, the true meaning of the cryptic words of the Cailleach is revealed to her. She has obtained what she desired the most, as Guinevere will never sit on the throne of Camelot, and Lancelot was the mean to achieve such an outcome. But Lancelot wasn't the sword that pierced Arthur's heart, as she planned. Neither Gwen nor Lancelot has been banished. And if Arthur's heart is bleeding, this is a secret that her little brother will keep to himself, a hidden truth held to even the most close to him. Morgana can't find in herself the will for a smile. She has achieved what she had wished to accomplish, but it's not joy that fills her. She thought she would be pleased at the news, pleased for her visions forever adverted, for Arthur's dream of marrying for love mercilessly crushed. Instead, she feels sad. The coldness of the sorrows is what fills an heart that has long since forgot how to beat. She has lost a sister forever, a sacrifice that didn't pay, and has once again used her knowledge of a brother to play a game bigger than each of them, and a once friend was turned a mere paw in the fight between Camelot and the Old Religion. She has left a life behind, burned all bridges behind. What's left of her now is that she has no more family to support her, no true friend to comfort her. No one but a lackey, an annoying dog who yaps at her left, begging for a scrap of affection, a man second only to a king, that kneels like a servant. Only him, Agravaine, and his spare visits. And the loneliness of an empty room. For even a High Priestess, a goddess between mortals, can feel the cutting pain of solitude.

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Notes This edit dates back to 2018/2019 but was hold back because, buckle up... I couldn't work out the text part. Yes. Embarrassing, isn't it? How hard could it be write a lengthy summary/synopsis, right? Four years. Four fucking years. In the year of the lord 2022, with the yearly goal to publish as much wips and finished-but-held-back works as I can, I sat down and forced myself to give a sense to the years-old draft. But still, it took me another year to finish this. This series consists of 6 planned parts. The first one, of which this post is part of, is made of 8 chapters that cover all the canon divergences that lead to Arthur healing from his battle wound. The other five parts follow his (and Merlin's) life, the coming of the Golden Age, the birth of the new Pendragon generation, Arthur's rest and what Merlin will build during his husband's long sleep.

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Tec stuffs (aka Behind The Manip) No manip nor modification required on this one, so nothing to report. Besides the fact that, when the edit was almost posted, I decided to add further scenes to better fit with the ficlet that was expanded.

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Crossposted: Livejournal: prue84.livejournal.com/101924.html Dreamwidth: prue84.dreamwidth.org/92428.html Deviantart: deviantart.com/prue84/art/Merlin-AUs-Royal-husbands-I-Ch01-994195209 AO3: archiveofourown.org/works/51559840/chapters/130316755 SquidgeWorld: squidgeworld.org/works/46714/chapters/97824

[sirleonatyourservice]

EPISODE 5x07

You are telling me the EXACT moment Merlin ended up in prison Gwaine wasn't like "okay, time to start a new life incredibly away from here, come on Merlin let's go" and commited treason yet again by freeing him?

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

"Hey, Regulus... That was fun, right?"

It had indeed been fun. It'd been long since Regulus just enjoyed an evening laughing, drinking and listening to stupid pop music. Actually he had never done that. He used to think those kind of plans were hideous. Regulus and Barty used to criticize people who did that.

But it wasn't actually that bad. When he was drunk and laughing he could ignore the horrible music.

"Yeah... I guess..."

Amycus smiled as he opened their dorm door. As expected, their roommates were already asleep. Alan and... Barty....

Barty had his curtains shut. He had been a bit upset when he wasn't invited to The Knights party. Or so Regulus thought. But he understood this was part of his plan, right?

Regulus was so close to fully win his father's trust. And Orion had been too occupied giving Regulus attention that he finally left Sirius alone. He wasn't sure about doing everything to get his precious Heir back. He could replace him with another: Regulus. Sirius could live his life in peace. And when Orion was in jail, Walburga could be in peace too. Perhaps they all would.

Amycus giggled in a whisper.

"I think I am a bit drunk still"

Regulus looked at him and faked a smile.

"Yeah, me too"

Regulus was ready to go to bed when Amycus called.

"Hey, Regulus..."

Regulus turned. Amycus was smiling. Regulus didn't know if it was the alcohol.

"You are actually pretty cool..." he said "I am glad you are part of The Knights"

For a second, Regulus felt bad. But he didn't like Amycus. Or Nick. Or Samuel. Or the rest of the Knights. They were superficial, and they only talked about girls, which was annoying. They  thought themselves better than the whole school just because they were rich and popular. The worst kind, as Regulus and Barty used to say.

But maybe Regulus had been spending a lot of time with them. And maybe he had been learning, they were more than stupid blokes. They had their own issues as well. But still, Regulus couldn't like them. They were very different. This was all part of his plan.

Orion had been a Knight and he said his time as one was the best experience of his life. So Regulus was doing the same to please him.

Regulus gave a small smile to Amycus and walked to his bed.

The next morning, Barty was distant with Regulus. He made sarcastic jokes and gagging noises when one of The Knights said hello to him. And Amycus didn't leave his side.

"Can I sit with you in Biology?" Amycus asked, as he placed himself next to Regulus, practically pushing Barty away. Of course Regulus didn't notice that "I don't want Professor Sprout to pick me up as a volunteer again"

Regulus turned to Barty.

"Ehm..." Regulus said "Barty always sits with me"

"Barty won't mind, would he?" Amycus asked, giving Barty a soft punch of the shoulder. He didn't look happy.

"I actually mind, Carrow..." Barty was probably going to insult him but he stopped when Regulus told him to shut up with his eyes "But... I guess I would like to be close to Professor Sprout to see how she dissects the frog..." he smirked "I want to see clearly how the blood and organs come out of its body"

Barty left with an evil smirk, pushing both of them as he passed. Regulus almost smiled. He loved Barty's eccentricities. But he looked rather angry. Was it against Amycus or himself?

Amycus giggled nervously "He is joking, right?"

"Oh no... Barty loves to see how the blood pops out"

Amycus must've taken it as a joke because he laughed. Regulus smiled.

******

Regulus discovered that in fact, Barty was angry with him. He had to spend the rest of the afternoon with The Knights and it was no fun this time.

"Barty... Why have you been ignoring me all day?" Regulus asked when he found Barty alone in their dorm.

"Busy editing my film..." Barty shrugged.

"I've been looking for you"

"Annoyed with your new friends already?" Barty asked sarcastically.

"They are not my friends. You are" Regulus swallowed.

Barty didn't answer.

"I am just pretending because of my plan"

Barty finally looked up at him. His green eyes seemed bigger in the dark.

"You know what I think?" Barty asked. Regulus didn't answer "I think you are enjoying this assignment a bit too much"

"What do you mean?" Regulus spat "You know why I am doing this..."

"What is the reason?" Barty asked, now leaving his computer aside and standing up in a challenging way "Because I think you've forgotten about it..."

Regulus raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have something to say?"

Barty laughed "You are enjoying being the new center of attention, don't you?"

Regulus was speechless. Especially because he hated being seen, worst being the center of attention. Regulus loved being invisible.

"What?"

"You've always been the shadow of your brother... And now that he is gay and tossed aside, you are loving taking his place, don't you?"

Barty meant all of this. And Regulus was furious. He pushed Barty back.

"That's not true!" Regulus screamed "I am doing this to help him, and to destroy the asshole of my father!"

"That was before tasting what is like to be a Knight... To be the king of the school..." Barty laughed "You are enjoying yourself so much...that I bet you wank every night thinking about it"

Regulus punched Barty in the face. He had never punched anyone before so his knuckles hurt and bleed.

Barty wasn't surprised. He touched his bleeding nose and smiled. Then he continued.

"I heard you talking with Amycus last night... Your new best friend" he added in a mocking voice "You don't know what you are becoming... You might be the Black Heir..." he smiled sadly "But not my Regulus anymore. Not my best friend"

"Is this what this is about?" Regulus asked "You are jealous of Amycus?" he snorted not quite believing it.

Barty looked furious now.

"Admit that you are enjoying being the center of attention! You love being the freaking king that everyone wants to be and every girl wants to shag!" Barty was yelling now.

Okay... Perhaps sometimes Regulus enjoyed being a normal teenager. Forgetting about his fucked up life and his fucked up family, the nightmares he had, or the sleepless nights. He had been constantly sad and numb for a long time and it felt great to just hear the others talk bullshit and get drunk in a party. Normal stuff.

But God, Regulus hated the attention. He hated that Orion and Walburga were becoming more and more proud of him, ignoring Sirius. He hated that Sirius detested what he thought he was becoming. That they fought each time they saw each other. Or that he had to pretend to fancy Pandora and girls in general, because Sirius was gay now and Regulus couldn't afford to be the same. Regulus didn't fancy anyone. He wanted to be left alone.

And he was bloody furious that Barty thought he had been enjoying himself all this bloody time. He had been living a nightmare.

"No!" Regulus yelled back "I am doing something to change my life... Unlike you, Barty"

Barty snorted amused "What do you mean, Black?"

"You are always complaining and complaining about your stupid life, and your twat father but you don't do anything about it!"

Barty looked hurt. He tensed everytime someone mentioned his father. He hated that old man. That's why he didn't scandalise when Regulus told him his plan. They both shared their hatred for their fathers.

"And what I am I supposed to do?" Barty spat "Put him to jail like you are going to do with yours?"

"At least I am not a coward like you"

Barty approached so quickly that Regulus thought he was going to punch him. But Barty just grabbed his shirt.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE AND YOU FUCKING KNOW IT! I AM NOT AFRAID OF MY FATHER!" Barty screamed on Regulus' face "I MISS YOU!!" he added with tears in his eyes.

Regulus was too shocked to respond.

"I miss when when it was only the two of us..." Barty carried on trying not to cry. He still was grabbing Regulus' shirt "Before freaking Pandora and Emmeline... And the fucking Knights... Just you and me against the world, remember?"

Regulus sighed "Barty..."

"We were two kids angry with the world and it was fine....I... I miss that... "

Regulus opened his mouth to say something, he didn't know what exactly. But Barty interrupted him with a kiss.

At first, Regulus was surprised and didn't move. But then Barty opened his lips and Regulus had the same uncomfortable sensation he had when Alice kissed him. So he pushed Barty away.

Regulus didn't move. He just stared at Barty.

Barty was all flushed and embarrassed, panting to the floor.

But then his eyes locked with Regulus'

"I love you, Regulus"

"No..." Regulus shook his head.

"I've been in love with you for a long time..."

"No... No..."

Regulus didn't want to lose Barty. Barty was very important for Regulus. His best friend in the whole world. The only one that actually got him, that actually cared, that didn't treat him as a baby. Well, perhaps Pandora as well... But Barty was way more important. He had been there for a long time. Regulus loved him too. But not in the way he wanted. He couldn't love anyone that way. Perhaps Professor Frumentar was right about him. He was one of those.

Regulus had tears in his eyes. He wanted to cry. He didn't want Barty to hate him because he couldn't love him back.

"Reg..."

"You just ruined everything..."

Regulus regretted the minute it came out of his mouth but it was too late.

Barty nodded.

"I get it..." he said "I am not good enough for your precious magesty..." he bowed. Regulus was about to cry "The Black Magesty cannot be gay and worst be seen with a guy like me..."

"No, Barty..."

"It's over..." Barty interrupted "I'm done"

Barty walked out of the room before Regulus could stop him.

Regulus silently cried because he had lost his best friend.

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Aoife O’Donovan feat. the Westerlies, the Knights and the San Francisco Girls Chorus - “Daughters”

Aoife O’Donovan is working to ensure the world remembers the women who brought the vote to American women.

Joined by the Westerlies, the Knights and the San Francisco Girls Chorus, O’Donovan wraps her latest history lesson in folk, classical and choral music and declares, suffrage is the only way to end on “Daughters.”

The sweeping ballad follows the title track from All My Friends (March 22), on which O’Donovan chronicles the battle to pass the 19th Amendment. Playing acoustic guitar with the Knights’ strings and the Westerlies’ horns and singing with the choir, O’Donovan mashes musical entertainment with education, singing:

The enemies of our cause, they try to stop us/but before the vote is won, we can’t leave the fight to the daughters of our daughters/so we go into the fray, shoulders bare, feel the fire and liberate

Education rarely sounds so sweet.

Grade card: Aoife O’Donovan feat. the Westerlies, the Knights and the San Francisco Girls Chorus - “Daughters” - A-

2/7/24

[thatonegeekygirl]

behold! a year or two old merlin magic reveal fanfic in which kilgarrah shows zero self-restraint, the knights are confused, and merlin is so, so done.

___________________________

The day had began normally for Arthur and the knights. They woke up, ate breakfast, threw a goblet at a certain insubordinate manservant (at least in Arthur's case), and headed to the grounds for their tri-weekly training sessions.

Unfortunately, guessing by the huge shadow currently being cast upon them and the smell of brimstone, it was not going to end that way.

The Great Dragon—didn't he kill The Great Dragon?—flapped once and landed in a cloud of dust, which was impressive given that the grass-covered area was almost completely void of any sort of loose dirt, and looked at a shocked Arthur and knights with what seemed disconcertingly like a glare.

It took Arthur a solid fifteen seconds before he got his wits about him once more, and he barked an order, the Round Table knights clustering around him in a defensive position. He raised his sword threateningly.

"I don't know what witchcraft brings you back from the dead, beast," he bellowed with false bravado. "But I've slayed you once and I will not hesitate to do so again!"

He moved to strike, not expecting the dumb creature to respond.

And thus it chilled him to his innermost bones when the dragon let out a deep, guttural laugh, mirth glittering in its eyes and a bitter smile on its muzzle. Arthur, shaken deeply by the confusingly human emotions showing on the supposed animal, stood dumbfounded as the dragon shook its head wryly before turning to address the Camelotians once again.

"Foolish king," The Great Dragon rumbled, the words so foreign coming from a beast that Arthur barely held in a screech. It glared condescendingly. "Did you truly believe one such as yourself could kill a creature of the Old Religion?"

It didn't wait for Arthur to reply (not that the Pendragon would have anyway), instead continuing with another chuckle. "No mortal blade can harm me, much less the poorly constructed ones you wield."

Arthur desperately wanted to defend against the retort, but the logical part of his brain (which sounded suspiciously like Merlin) told him that would be an insanely stupid and dangerous course of action that would more likely get him roasted on the spot than salvage any of his lost pride.

The dragons smile widened. "I see our young warlock has been busy," he said approvingly. "Your father would have not hesitated to brashly combat such an insult and endanger himself and the lives of his men."

Arthur didn't have time to ponder who the hell the 'young warlock' before the dragon continued.

"Speaking of," its voice turned dry. "You and I have much to talk about regarding Emrys...do take a seat."

Arthur somehow found it in himself to jut his chin out stubbornly and straighten, feet still planted firmly on the ground.

"Do not test me, young King of Camelot," the dragon growled threateningly, releasing a snort of smoke that startled a yelp out of Gwaine. "I promise you, I am not pleasant when I am angry."

"You're not all that pleasant when you're not," Arthur muttered under his breath, but nonetheless sat with a frustrated grunt, struggling to find a position on the soft grass that didn't look entirely foolish. The dragon stared pointedly at the knights, and all four of them scrambled to the ground hastily.

"Now," The Great Dragon said, in a tone that indicated the beginning of a long tale. "Listen closely, knights and kings alike, for I am here to tell you the story of a man called Emrys..."

Arthur could've sworn he heard a mumbled, "Cause Gods knows he won't tell it himself" but he thought better of pointing it out. The dragon seemed cross enough as it was.

~~~~~

Arthur's head swam with the sudden rush of information. After a few hours worth of tales of Emrys' exploits, the mans victories and failures, sufferings and emotions, sacrifices and deeds, things of the past and things yet to come, he felt utterly overwhelmed and shaken by just how much the mystery man had done for them all.

As he and the knights tried to consider all the implications with wide eyes, Kilgharrah--as they had learned was The Great Dragons proper name--sat back and grinned, looking very pleased with himself.

"Now that you have been enlightened," he said, "and will likely rethink your life choices, I will be on my way."

He threw his mighty wings into the air, but before he could propel himself into the sky Percival let out a cry.

"Wait!"

Kilgharrah paused, lowering his wings and settling back onto solid ground. "What is it, knight?"

"It's just..." Percival paused, clearly considering his next words carefully. "...You said his Druidic name, the name he is referred to as in the prophecies, is Emrys...but then he must have a birth name as well, right? What would we know him by if we ever met?"

Kilgharrah seemed to find this utterly hilarious, and a bemused grin spread on his face, a tumble of rumbling chuckles escaping from his maw.

"You—all of you—met Emrys years ago!" He explained, to the shock and confusion of Arthur and the knights. "In fact," he shook his head in amusement. "You see him on a daily basis!"

Arthur's mind scrambled to think of all the people he saw in his every-day life. The knights, Gwen, Merlin, Gaius, the people in his council, but he could think of none that fit the dragons description of the mighty warlock.

Apparently finding humour in watching them panic, Kilgharrah stayed silent, a smile still playing on his face. 

"Just tell us who he is!" Arthur snapped after a minute or two, anger building in him at Kilgharrah's amused nonchalance.

"But of course," the dragon replied, grin widening. "All you had to do was ask."

Arthur huffed shortly, but listened intently as Kilgharrah leaned in closer.

"Emrys', the most powerful warlock who ever has and ever will walk the earth, sworn protector of the Once and Future King, slayer of Nimueh and Cornelius Sigan, friend of Camelot and enemy of all twisted magic, has the birth name, given to him by his mother in the town of Ealdor, of..."

Arthur's breath came in a sharp gasp as realization dawned.

"...Merlin..."

~~~~~

Arthur marched down the hallway, trailed by the Round Table knights, aiming purposefully for Gaius' and Merlin's door. Coming to it, he threw it open with a bang and strode inside, the knights filing in behind him. Leon, ever thoughtful, closed the door behind them. Merlin, who had been working on some sort of tincture, looked up, startled, then grinned as he saw who had entered. The grin slowly left his face as he glanced around and saw their expressions, however.

Gwaine, with one of uncharacteristic calm reassurance, Percival, one of wonder, Leon, one of shock and just a tiny bit of fear, Elyan, one of unsureness, and Arthur's...a mix of anger and confusion and desperation and awe and fear and hurt and a million other emotions all scattered across his face.

"What's...going on?" Merlin asked hesitantly.

""What's going on?'! 'What's going on?'!" Arthur mocked furiously. "The Great Dragon—the one you said I killed, by the way—just landed in the middle of Camelot and he told us everything, Merlin, or should I say Emrys!? Or Dragoon!? What the bloody hell is that all about!?"

Arthur wasn't sure how exactly he was expecting Merlin to react—maybe for him to deny everything, or try to explain in that awkward way of his, or just straight up run away, but he certainly wasn't expecting what did happen.

Merlin sighed loudly, a disturbingly unsurprised expression on his face. "Damn dragon," he muttered darkly.

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Who praises the other more /is the more embarrassing one in a relationship ?

Merthur

(Headcanon Masterlist) (Full Masterlist)

Cute🥺

I feel like it genuinely depends on the situation? Who they're with/where they are/how long they've been courting etc. Let's say this is post magic reveal, post Merlin being promoted to Court Sorcerer, and their courtship is sort of... public knowledge.

At the beginning, it's very stilted I think?? Like they have the whirlwind make out sesh after they both just sorta snapped, and it's great for like a couple days, then they realise... they've been friends and nothing more for ten years, and trying to navigate this new dynamic as very public figures is very difficult. Both of them are so desperate for it to go well that neither of them mess/joke around, or do anything that could embarrass the other. It's very formal and awkward, and the knights and Gwen and Gaius all just roll their eyes and wait for the second snappening.

But once they get more comfortable... Arthur tries to mess with Merlin more often, but Merlin messes with Arthur more successfully. After so many years of the way things were, Merlin definitely knows Arthur better than vice versa, so it's easier for him to play jokes on him/embarrass him in front of friends. He'd NEVER do it in a meeting or anything, though, and he doesn't do it much in public either. He might do if they're walking about in the market or playing with the kids on the street, but truthfully, Arthur doesn't mind that so much, because Merlin somehow hiding several flowers in his hair without him noticing humanises him to his people.

In terms of praise, I think it's pretty equal, but on different fronts?? Merlin compliments and praises Arthur more on a personal level: "That was kind of you." and "You have a lovely singing voice." and "Thank you for feeding yourself properly whilst I was gone." because Arthur doesn't really get that anywhere else?? He's got people praising his fighting and Kingly-ness and decision making skills and yadda yadda round every corner. But he very rarely has people compliment or praise him just for himself, he never gets praise for the things he does in his spare time/things he enjoys and chooses to do/the type of person he is. He doesn't get people wanting to look after him/wanting him to look after himself because they care about his personal well-being, instead of wanting him to run himself ragged because that's his duty.

But Arthur compliments and praises Merlin more on a professional level?? Of course he says nice things on private/personal matters as well, but it's rarer, because he's shitty at words/romance, but what he is good at is leading, and cultivating good workers around him. That, mixed with the fact that Merlin is new to court and utterly terrified of fucking up somehow, means that Arthur gives, and Merlin appreciates more, things like "Nice spot, Merlin, I never would've noticed that flaw in the paperwork." and "Thank you for talking the council through the creature's abilities." and "Well done for dealing with that conflict." and "Don't mind Lord Balther, he's an arse, and he deserved exactly what you said to him.".

It all balances out rather nicely in the end :D

~

Hope this is what you're after anon!! Hope you stuck around long enough to see it!!!

[kaantt]

Kaamelott incorrect quotes:

Arthur : *to his knights* Looks like we're all together again! Lovely! Our story lines have been much too separated.