#william of ealdor

[justaz]

Anyways……..Gwaine crashed in Ealdor soon after Merlin dipped. Destiny was trying to bring them together but missed by a hair. Will took him in and let him crash at his place. They ended up fucking (Will was trying to mend the heartbreak of his childhood best friend and sort of boyfriend leaving) (also the scraggly drunk is actually really hot) (and they both hate nobility with a passion). Gwaine left right before Ealdor started to get raided because he’s always on the move and never stays in one place for too long.

Uhhhh years later Merlin mentions his home village of Ealdor and Gwaine smiles and is like “Ah, a quaint but homey place. I visited there once. I was homed by a lovely man with a similar heart to mine. I wonder how Will is doing after all these years…” Merlin beats him with his shoe for sleeping with his friend. And also has to break the news that he died but this was supposed to be a funny post so lets ignore that potential for angst and focus on WHATEVER THE FUCK THEIR SHIP NAME IS

[quondam-et-futurus]

very invested in an au where will lives solely to be an arthur hater. literally nothing else changes we just periodically get scenes of him telling merlin how much he sucks

[hannahhook7744]

Modern Merlin Reincarnation Idea:

The knights, Gwen, and several other players from Merlin are reincarnated. Some more aware of their past lives than others.

Gwaine and Will, being two of them.

Long story short, both Gwaine and Will want their shit and their friends’ shit back from a museum and team up to steal it back, completely unaware that the other is also reincarnated up until the point Merlin and (an immortal) Leon catch them in the act of stealing from THEIR museum.

[thefriendlyneighborhoodqueer]

i just watch the episode of merlin when will dies (s1:e10), and let me tell you, will and merlin were definitely a couple. i mean, did you see the way merlin was rubbing will’s head as he was dying? god

and i’m crying

[fuckyeahsnackables]

[aventuras-de-andre]

au where gwaine had already become a knight of camelot during the battle of ealdor. and when they meet will, who is very much against the nobility because of his father’s death, gwaine is like oh i get him. and will, ofc, doesn’t like gwaine because gwaine is part of the problem, in his eyes, and gwaine is like no no you don’t understand!! we have much in common!!

do y’all see the vision? arthur is like that ‘that boy [will] keeps undermining my efforts’ and gwaine, will’s 1 stan, is like tHat bOY🗣️kEEps UnDeRMiNg my EfFoRTs😩

they inevitably bond when gwaine’s like ‘listen, merlin told me everything. i’m sorry about what happened to your family. i get that you’re angry, i was as well. and i’m glad that you’re giving arthur a chance.’ and will is like ‘i’m not doing it for him, or you.’ and gwaine is like no, i know it’s for merlin; that’s why i’m here too.

will, at the end of the ep: i’m glad merlin has you and has told you everything… I was worried his magic would keep him isolated.

gwaine, who didn’t know about the magic, wheezing: yea no. for sure.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Hunith went hungry countless times so her son could eat

Episode: The “Moment of Truth” questions

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used as references: “The Magic Begins”, “Dangerous Quests”, “The Death of Arthur”, “Lancelot and Guinevere” and the “Heroes” Guide

Question: It was normally a lord's responsability to make sure raiders did not come and take food? I know it’s a border region in Cenred's kingdom, but it doesn’t seem to have a lesser noble of the kingdom ruling over it?

It also must be far from Cenred's court. Since Cenred would have more of an interest protecting villages that actually provided him food. (Thus kept up their side of the feudalism deal?)

My answer: When Merlin first came to Camelot, he noted the table in the great hall had more food then he’d ever seen in his life and that just this one feast alone could feed his entire village for a year.

Also, according to the Camelot maps, Ealdor is very small (barely a blip on the map) and the only houses on the map in that village seem to be tiny ramshackle huts.

If you look above Ealdor in the map, you can see Jarl’s castle, which is much bigger then the whole of Ealdor and therefore their likely isn’t any nobles anywhere near them (since everything nearby seems to be unoccupied land, caves and forests).

Considering how little food Ealdor has been mentioned to produce, it’s likely Cenred doesn’t even take food from them, since less then a tables worth of food at a single banquet is hardly worth taking and likely only taxes them to farm/live there.

Book description: Merlin enjoyed just looking at the great hall with its rich wall coverings and vast hanging chandeliers, at the beautifully carved wooden tables laden with more food than he'd ever seen in his life before.

This one feast would feed Merlin's entire village for a year - but he was in too good a mood to begrudge the guests their meal.

Question: Why didn’t Uther send only a few men as Arthur suggests. ESPECIALLY since there is little likelihood of any of Cenred's soldiers being in the area to know?

My answer: Uther himself admits that Cenred had never been openly hostile towards them without good reason and was therefore shocked when the mercenaries attacked without provocation.

(THIS 👆 could also be a major reason why Uther was not willing to send aid to Ealdor, even in the form of a few knights. He was not willing to risk starting a war with a neighboring kingdom who had so far never attacked with provocation).

(Source: “Traitor Within” book)

In the “Lancelot and Guinevere” book, Morgana muses to herself about how Uther always considered the ‘bigger picture’ and acted accordingly.

In many ways, Uther sending even a few soldiers to Cenred’s kingdoms would be a bigger risk and he would consider it not worth it, especially given how the ‘bigger picture’ is that he’d be risking war in order to protect a tiny village that isn’t even on his land.

1st Book description:

'We've had reports that mercenaries are streaming into Cenred's kingdom,' he announced to the assembled councillors.

Uther frowned. Cenred had never been openly hostile towards them without good reason. It seemed strange that the situation had changed. 'Do we know why?'

2nd book description: Morgana had been angry with Uther before, but this time her rage against the king's indolence left her physically shaking.

She had long ago recognized that Uther would always make an appeal to 'the bigger picture, but the least she expected was that Arthur would plead for Gwen.

(Source: “Lancelot and Guinevere” book)

Question: So from what we see, Merlin's diet growing up would have been milk, grains, eggs, and likely some fruits and vegetables as we saw those taken earlier. Perhaps every once in a while some meat?

My answer: Merlin mentioned that men would go out to trap animals for food when times were desperate and they were facing starvation.

As Hunith grew sicker as the result of the deal with Nimueh, Merlin recalled the countless times his mother had gone hungry so that he’d never once had to miss a meal.

Book description: “Dangerous Question” book

In the little village where he'd grown up, men would go out and trap animals for food. In lean times, it was a choice between that and starvation.

But the Crown Prince of Camelot sat down to a banquet every night - he had no need to hunt. This was just sport to him, the challenge of his wits against the beast's.

Taking the life of a feeling, thinking creature for fun? Merlin couldn't see how it could ever be right. Yet he knew that Arthur was a good man. It was very confusing.

Book description in “Dangerous Questions”:

Merlin remembered how she'd always been there for him when he'd got upset, unable to come to terms with the great powers that had been bestowed upon him.

The countless times she had gone hungry so that he d never once had to miss a meal.

Question: It seems like most of the Ealdor did NOT know about Merlin's Secret?

Book description:

As Merlin's childhood friend, William of Ealdor was the only other person, apart from Hunith, who knew Merlin's secret.

Question: What is Merlin’s relationship like with the other villagers in Ealdor?

My answer: Merlin admits to knowing people back in Ealdor, who thought they could get away with anything just because they were good looking and skillful. (Funny enough he thinks about this while watching Arthur throwing knives at his servant).

Book description:

Merlin watched with a frown as the boy scurried back and forth across the yard, the young knight throwing dagger after dagger at him - hitting the target spot-on every time. He would, of course.

Merlin knew the type - even back in Ealdor there had been people like that, who thought that being good looking and skillful meant they could do whatever they liked.

All the girls fancied them too. It was funny how girls couldn't spot how much of a prat someone was if that someone had big enough muscles.

[dragoon-the-greatest]

Just rewatched "Moment of Truth." What an episode. WILL MY BELOVED. I wish he had shown up for more than an episode, he was such a great character and such a great friend for Merlin.

Loved my little Arwen crumbs in this episode. Got to hear Arthur transition from calling her "Gwen" to "Guinevere" and she called him out for the first time. She showed herself capable of standing up to him both about the food and about having the women fight, and Arthur definitely noticed and apologized on both counts. I understand the fandom's obsession with Merthur but Arthur doesn't listen to Merlin the way he listens to Gwen, and Merlin just doesn't call Arthur out the way Gwen does.

Granted, Merlin would probably be a lot better at calling Arthur out in this instance if he didn't spend half the episode figuring out whether or not to use his magic and arguing with Will about it. The tension is SO good here, the contrast of saving people with his magic and telling the truth in the process vs. continuing to hide himself at others' expense but in hopes for a brighter future. Poor boy just wants to help people with his magic and has since episode one. This early in the series, the choice is an obvious one for Merlin, but later obviously he shifts to the other side, which is so so heartbreaking.

It's no wonder though, Arthur tried to be considerate in his own way but was also a JERK in response to finding out "Will's" secret. They stood in front of Will's FUNERAL PYRE and Arthur tells Merlin he shouldn't have kept Will's secret because magic is DANGEROUS. Will saved his life! What would Arthur have done if a. Will really did have magic and b. Merlin had actually told him about it? Was he going to kill Merlin's best friend? Banish him from his own home when he doesn't even live in Camelot??? Why did Merlin owe him this information??? And after this Will is never mentioned again, which is insane. In all of the (rare) instances where Arthur actually questions magic, he just never brings this up again?? A supposed sorcerer gives his life for him and he just. Blanks it out of his memory? Never mind that this was Merlin's childhood friend, just pretend he never existed and his death never happened and don't ever acknowledge Merlin's grief outside of saying "I know he was a close friend." Merlin learned all of the wrong messages from this episode. Don't tell Arthur your secret because he thinks magic is dangerous with no exceptions, and don't tell Arthur your secret because he's a good man and he likes/needs you but can't be trusted with your secret until "the time is right."

Like actually, what was Hunith's deal in this show?? I love her but we know so little about her? This is a woman that actually ran up to a bandit and tried to steal food back with no plan besides "just grab it real quick while announcing your intentions" (love her for that though, also this is definitely Merlin's mother), represented the village to a foreign king when their own refused to help, raised a magical child but taught him to hide his abilities at all cost, even from the people he loves/trusts the most (people who are willing to risk their lives to help him save his home town? You don't think maybe they could know?). Like, yes, it would have been terrifying to raise your not subtle, blatantly magical son in a world where magic is hated, but she finds out he told his best friend about his secret (which the friend hadn't even told anyone), and her response to this is to send her son to the place most well known for burning/beheading sorcerers? And her response when he expresses a desire to not go back is to tell him to go because the prince (who she absolutely does not think should know Merlin's secret, but also doesn't think he would kill him if he found out, like which side are you on?) needs him? Why is Hunith so obsessed with Arthur here? Like yeah, he risked a lot to come save the village and made a huge difference in the outcome of the fight, but to value him over her own son? I just don't understand Hunith's priorities here. Protect Merlin but send him somewhere extremely dangerous? Merlin tells Will he did not actually want to leave initially but that he did because his mother was worried. Merlin is so lonely and isolated and has such messed up ideas about his purpose and his magic and Hunith doesn't do anything to actually help him sort this out, just pushed him to stay isolated while also being helpful to people she doesn't think he should fully trust.

Anyway, fascinating episode, very compelling. I would have LOVED for this to actually be a magic reveal episode and it's a nice little gut punch to know how far that actually is from happening from this episode. Overall, Will, Gwen, and Morgana were MVPs here. Stay tuned for more random thoughts and analyses on episodes that aired over a decade ago ✌️

[wumiings]

Merlin: Got accused of sorcery in Camelot today lads

Will: Tell us what happened lad

Merlin: I got accused of sorcery in Camelot

Will: Ye but why

Merlin: I was doing sorcery

Will: In Camelot?

Merlin: Yeah it was in Camelot

[keyboardsmashdmhtmdcmdcdm]

Do you think William reminded Hunith of Balinor? Here me out, Balinor carved as we saw with the dragon he made and I am convinced William was a carpenter. Do you think she ever saw Merlin talking to Willian and think about how much of a heartbreak their friendship could lead to and that contributed to her dislike of him (she glares at him every time he opens his mouth)?

[bunnyartistic]

D’you ever think about Merlin’s friendships outside of Arthur and the knights? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔How all of them died? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔Does he ever think about Will, the only friend he had at Ealdor 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[hannahhook7744]

Perfect.

Kidnapper: We have your friend

Mithian: Wait- please specify which one-

Kidnapper: Dork, Dark hair, Definitely bi,

Mithian: Daegal???

Kidnapper: Sassy, somehow sweet at the same time-

Mithian: Will?!?!?!

Kidnapper: Red neckerchei-

Mithian: OH MY WORD MERLIN HANG ON

[hannahhook7744]

I can see Gwaine and Will doing this in modern times when Merlin drags them shopping.

Merlin is just texting the group chat (consisting of the round table, Freya, several one off characters like Daegal and Elena, Morgana, Mordred, and Morgause), weighing the pros and cons of leaving them there. Because hey, maybe if he does they'll do something so drastic that Arthur will rise.

[memories-of-ancients]

While I'm on the subject of books, this book was recommended to me. It's about a man living in England after the 1066 conquest by William the Conqueror, and details his thoughts and feelings as the world he knows is torn apart and destroyed. Seems like a good premise for a historical fiction novel.

One aspect of the book that is unique is that it is written in a type of language that's supposed to simulate Old English. I didn't really know what this mean't until now. I just got the book in the mail and opened it up, and I'm just like, holy fuck!

"still i will stand and i will tell the triewth the triewth of what i done and for what i was feohtan and how i was brocen by those ficol hores what i stood and cwelled for. i has not forgot i has cept it for there is micel must be telt and words now is left my only waepens and none wolde sae i has efer been afeart to wield what waepens i has

because of what is wispred it moste be telt what befell

i was a socman of the blaec fenns a free man of the eald danelaugh where there was no ealdors too high for the folc to cum to and if they wolde pull down. thu wolde not cnaw it to see me now my nebb blaec all is broc a lif in fenn and holt but i was a free man of angland a man of parts in my land i was born this way i is still a free man i is still a free man

to them i wants to cnaw it i is named buccmaster of holland"

still i will stand and i will tell the triewth the triewth of what i done and for what i was feohtan and how i was brocen by those ficol hores what i stood and cwelled for. i has not forgot i has cept it for there is micel must be telt and words now is left my only waepens and none wolde sae i has efer been afeart to wield what waepens i has

because of what is wispred it moste be telt what befell

i was a socman of the blaec fenns a free man of the eald danelaugh where there was no ealdors too high for the folc to cum to and if they wolde pull down. thu wolde not cnaw it to see me now my nebb blaec all is broc a lif in fenn and holt but i was a free man of angland a man of parts in my land i was born this way i is still a free man i is still a free man

to them i wants to cnaw it i is named buccmaster of holland

Holy shit! The whole entire fuccan book is like this! Naw way man I aint reading this! I got a headache just reading the first few pages! This writing reminds me of when I was a teacher and would grade the papers of the kid I bought my weed off of. He made a lot more money than I did teaching.

[aventuras-de-andre]

gwaine and will would’ve been best friends. no, think about it. they had one-sided beef with nobles that stems from how their father died and they initially only helped arthur for merlin’s sake. i feel like they would’ve either gotten along great or become each other’s worst enemy