Fairedenale

Writer, fangirl, low-tier gamer, appreciator of many things.

[koffeinkaos]

Merthur told from Leons perspective is my fav. I mean he has known Arthur his entire life and to get that angle of someone who had the chance to witness Arthur's best and worst moments, someone who's rooting for him despite his many flaws and someone who is unlike Lancelot and Gwaine much more connected with Arthur than with Merlin. There is so much warmth to gain from telling the love story through the eyes of a friend and I think that's so beautiful

[jokyri]

One of my recent projects that I've finished is this drawing of Camelot (BBC Merlin) :]

[koffeinkaos]

I wrote a little something to cheer myself up and maybe y'all need it too, so here's a sweet first chapter for a potential new fic

"What are you doing?" Gwen's voice sounded like she was talking to her two year old. Merlin felt offended.

"I am trying to get this spell right...Do you know where I can get a ring that was found by a magpie and blessed by the fates? Wait what does that even mean??" He read the sentence again but decided it still made no sense and dramatically fell back, summoning a pillow from the nearby cot to avoid hitting the floor with his head. A sigh escaped him after his eyes changed back to blue.

"What is it for?" The former maid asked.

Hunith sat in front of the fire and grinned, Guinevere had the patience of an angel.

"Arthur. Not the ring per se, I need that to make the protection spell for some lady, because the painter who made the portrait of Ygraine claimed he had sketches but he refused to give them up unless I help his girlfriend who had angered some ancient spirit." He rubbed his hands over his face. "And I hate ancient spirits! They have nobody to talk to which is sad but that means when you summon them they'll always start to ramble and they won't shut up, Gwen!" He grabbed her ankle and shook it without much force so he wouldn't hurt her. "They never shut up!!!!"

A giggle spilled over her lips as she looked down at the Court Sorcerer of Camelot pouting on the floor.

"Good thing you like Arthur more than you apparently hate these ancient spirits." His mother remarked with a poorly hidden grin and an arched eyebrow as she knitted some socks.

Gwen promptly chimed in: "And that must say something considering you really hate these spirits."

Merlin glowered at both women. He would have had a witty comeback, no doubt, but was cut off when the door opened again.

"Uncle Mewlin!!" Finch exclaimed as they entered the room. Arthur held the boy but he started to wiggle when he spotted the sorcerer. Lancelot, who stepped over the threshold a moment after the king put the boy on the ground smiled at Gwen.

Summoning a tiny gust of wind Merlin closed the book next to him, hiding his notes inside as he sat up and held his arms out to greet the boy.

"Hello little one. Has Arthur bored you enough?" He questioned lightly.

Arthur only laughed and went over to greet Hunith with a kiss on the cheek. "Has Merlin bored you enough? Should I give him some chores?"

"Oh you know how he is." She replied fondly, squeezing the kings arm.

Meanwhile Finch's tiny form had collided with the warlock and he was now planted on his lap demanding-

"Magic! Pwease!"

"Your wish is my command! What extraordinary spell would my lord want to see me perform?"

"Can you make a baby cat? Dada said I'll get one for Yule!"

The look Gwen gave Lancelot suggested that Dada was in a lot of trouble for that.

"I can make one but you know it won't last, remember?"

His magic could make life, but he hadn't dared to test it on something bigger than a butterfly yet and he didn't plan to. To create life was not a power that should be wielded out of curiosity, it was a responsibility.

Finch nodded seriously. "I know. Wait Uncle A'ther should watch too! Mom, Dad and Hunif Uncle Mewlin does magic!!" The boy was so excited it was hard for him to sit still and despite his sudden nervousness it made Merlin smile fondly. He vividly remembered the day Lancelot and Gwen had asked him and Arthur to meet them in Gwen's home. The couple had been married for a year, so it was not a huge surprise, when Gwen told them teary eyed that she was pregnant. The real surprise came from Lancelot after he squeezed his wife's hand. "We know this is no small thing to ask but we would love you both as godfathers for our child."

Arthur had cried. Not that the king would ever mention it whenever he told this story. Another part he failed to say anything about was that when Gwen went into labor Arthur was pacing the hallways like a caged animal. Only when the first cries of the child announced his wellbeing and Gaius joined the both men in the corridor to give the young family some space, could Arthur calm down enough he let his body sink on the floor next to the spot where Merlin had patiently waited.

Finch as it soon turned out was the human embodiment of a bright summer day, his smile lightened up the entire kingdom and like the first messengers of a storm on a summer evening, the boy always seemed to be on some mission or another. Keeping up with him took indeed an entire village.

Now Merlin spoke the words to mold his magic into the form of a small kitten. Finch watched with his big brown eyes as it started to purr and rub its little head against the boys hand before it darted over to where Hunith's yarn was pulled up as she continued to knit.

"Whoa!" The toddler was up in a second, following the cat as Merlin let it grow into an adult. "Mommy, Dada look!"

Before the boy could become to attached Merlin tugged at the spell and made it shrink until it fit into a hand and then let it explode like the magical fire Mordred sometimes summoned.

The delighted giggle made all the aduls smile fondly and when Finch said "Sank you." Merlin had forgotten all about his earlier struggles.

[starofcalliope]

Merlin fic idea:

Merlin finally meets reincarnated Gwen, who introduces herself as Gwen Pendragon. Merlin's then like, "ok, so Gwen and Arthur have already met and gotten married. Cool cool cool. Definitely not heartbroken at all" but then reincarnated Arthur keeps flirting with him, and Merlin keeps rejecting him because he refuses to betray Gwen. BUT THEN Merlin gets invited to a party and Gwen says she wants to introduce him to someone then goes "This is Morgana, my wife" and Merlin's brain gets an error message.

[preacherboyd]

Merlin | 3x02 The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part 2

[camelotsheart]

gods. when arthur asks gwen to look at him before he leaves on the journey to sacrifice himself to the veil because that's the memory i will take with me. like as a warrior he's always living with the knowledge that death could come to him at any moment and he's decided that the one thing he wishes at death is to die with remembrance of the people that made his life worth living. and then in his actual deathbed he deliberately looks at merlin and rubs his head and smiles as long as he could until he falls unconscious

like!!! its just!!! this man defines his life by trying to be of value to the people he loves and actively makes his death be defined by it too

[greenteanad]

For the @merthurmicrofic prompt: sickness, words: 1071

It should be romantic, poetic! Even heart-warming! The idea that your soulmate can draw on their skin and they appear on yours should be beautiful. They would either be an amazing artist and turn your body into a canvas or be so sloppy , that would you smile at how adorable it is.

Fate intended for people to have romantic stories based on this. But not all people used it as mature adults. Fate had to sit and watch idiots in love fall into even stronger denial. The last straw was when people started drawing genitalia on their faces to piss off their soulmate.

So fate declared that whenever two soulmates were close to each other but wouldn’t cooperate, they must start to feel sick. The sickness would grow the longer the idiots insisted on their idiocy…

“You do realize those are just fairy tales right Merlin?” Will leaned on the desk with his arms crossed, judging Merlin, again.

“Don’t you have a full sleeve of butterflies on your left arm?” Merlin looked up from his laptop and stared back at his best friend.

“That part yeah, not a fairy tale.” Will straighten up and shrugged. “But the disease? Or what, lovesickness? You can’t tell me you’re worried that you might end up with some sort of rare disease because your soulmate is an ass.”

“He is a prat and an ass and someone who will get us both sick, watch me prove this theory with my own health, Will.” Merlin sighed and closed the laptop. He had always been excited to find his soulmate. He couldn’t wait until the bond got strong enough for them to draw on their skins. But when it did, he got disappointed rather quickly.

The day he felt he could write something for his soulmate; excitement was bubbling out of him. He wrote a whole paragraph on paper. Edited the whole thing. Asked his mom to edit it again. Read it out loud in front of the mirror multiple times. At this rate, he could recite the whole thing from memory.

He started to write it on his forearm the next day.

Hello dear soulmate!

I’m Merlin! What’s your name? I’m 9 years old! How old are you? I like drawing! Do you like drawing? I will draw a sword I learnt in class for you! :)

Bye

And he waited.

And waited.

And waited more.

He was starting to lose hope when one day he felt a tingling sensation on his wrist. He gasped as he watched a very neat handwriting, his soulmate’s handwriting! Was appearing.

My father said no son of mine will associate with dark arts. Don’t ever address me.

The sadness in Merlin very soon was replaced by anger. Which ended up with him drawing a poop on his cheek just to irritate his soulmate. And he kind of secretly hoped that this would make him talk more.

But a response never came. And Merlin was starting to feel bad for what he had done.

Hello again.

I’m sorry for the bad drawing. Can we be friends? Please? :(

The nine-year-old Merlin never got a response since then…

And Merlin spent the next decade, trying to not think about it.

It wasn’t easy to not think about your soulmate when everyone around you found theirs already. Will showed up with a sleeve of new tattoos almost each week. Gwen had already found her soulmate, Lance, and they always exchanged small sweet messages to each other. Gwen’s hands were basically filled with heartwarming messages.

People wore their soulmate arts on a daily basis. And even though Merlin no longer envied them, he had started to worry about something else. Getting sick.

His soulmate never wrote anything on their skin, while Merlin had reminders and bunch of pen smudges all over his hands. So, this made it difficult to even guess who his soulmate could be. The guy could walk past Merlin and he would never know! And next thing he knew, he could be sneezing and burning in fever and fall behind his assignments. University was brutal and Merlin couldn’t let a prat make him fail.

“Hey Merlin! You there?” Merlin was pulled out of his thoughts when he noticed a cup of coffee being shaken In front of him.

“Gwen! You’re my hero!” He happily accepted the coffee.

“You never call me a hero even though I get you coffee all the time.” Will grumbled as he hugged Gwen.

Merlin was too focused on coffee to respond.

“Is he searching about the soulmate sickness again?”

“Gwen, all I ever see him do is search for the soulmate sickness. I’m surprised that he passes all his finals.”

Merlin put his coffee next to his laptop. “I do study, unlike somebody.” Gwen laughed at the offended expression Will made and soon they were deep in conversation.

Of course, some prat had to move too close to their table and bump into it. Of course, Marlin’s coffee was gonna be the one that spills.

“Are you kidding me?!”

The stranger looked past his shoulders, his broad shoulders, with indifference. “Maybe next time don’t put it too close to the edge.” And he left. Leaving Merlin gobsmacked and coffeeless.

“What the fuck?” Will broke the silence with his eyebrows dangerously close to his hairline.

Merlin had hoped that, that was the last they would see of the rude guy. His hopes and dreams had been crushed the moment he saw him in his class. Sitting in the front with his laptop open and laser focus on the professor. Merlin had later learned that the rude guy was an extremely talented transfer student named Arthur.

That meant war. Because not only was he rude but now he was Merlin’s rival. Merlin had to work double the amount to secure his place at the top of the class.

So, every exam had become a battleground. Merlin used any excuse to show off. He would answer the professors’ questions or casually drop his papers in front of Arthur, only to show that he had scored really high.

And soon, Arthur had also started to participate in this.

“Oh, only a 96 Merlin? I guess not all of us are smart enough.”

“Hey Arthur, did you see the scores board? didn’t see your name up there, man I guess we can’t win all the time.”

“Of course you got an 80 on this, I’m not even surprised Merlin.”

“HA! A 100! Arthur’s gonna be so mad.”

“MERLIN!” a loud bang on his desk made Merlin jump from his nap. “Will, what is wrong with you?! actually, good thing you woke me up, I need to review chapter 5 again.”

“Ugh Merlin, you can’t be serious.” Wills frown grew deeper when Merlin sneezed. “You need actual rest, not neck on book shrimp style nap.” Merlin blew his nose into a tissue while rolling his bloodshot eyes. “What I need is to study, the last thing I need is to fall behind Arthur because of this sickness.”

“ARTHUR IS ALSO SICK!”

“Wait what?”

“Arthur is also sick so you, the biggest idiot I’ve ever seen, need to take it easy! Seriously Merlin you look miserable I can’t believe I have to forc-”

“Wait, wait, wait Will. Did you just say Arthur has been sick too? For how long?”

“I don’t know man, maybe as long as you? It doesn’t matter; did you just listen to what I said? You need to res-”

Merlin’s feverish brain had no logic. Coincidence? Brain didn’t care.

Merlin listened to none of what Will was saying. He shuffled through all the used tissues on his desk to find a pen.

I’m gonna get a B because you stubborn prat! got us both sick!

This time though, Merlin didn’t have to wait for long.

Then study harder, Merlin.

[rousseauxyeuxvertes]

@merthurmicrofic prompt bound (753 words)

Modern AU | pre-engagement panic | domestic chaos

– Pick up the phone, damn it, Gwen!

– Merlin, hel–

– Gwen, I found a ring!

– Do you mean recursion? Or that stupid loop “fix” Josh put in after the last DDoS?

– I mean a ring made of metal, in a little velvet box.

– OMG, Merlin, are you–

– GWEN! I found it in Arthur’s sock in the wardrobe. Arthur doesn’t know I found it!

– Ohhh… why were you going through his socks?

– Because I was cold.

– Haven’t you got socks of your own?

– I have, but mine are just warm, and Arthur’s are warm and fluffy. Anyway, yes, I sometimes wear my boyfriend’s things at home. When he can’t see me, because it annoys him. But I like it. It makes me feel… bound to him when I miss him. Anyway, Gwen, I found the ring, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.

– Put it back and pretend you never saw it.

– Excellent advice. How?

– God, Merls…

– Gwen, I can’t pretend I didn’t see it, I can’t stop thinking about what it means.

– It doesn’t take a genius. He’s going to propose to you.

– What if he isn’t? Isn’t it too soon? Have we been together long enough to be bound in holy matrimony?

– Well, it clearly isn’t too soon for him, since he bought a ring. Which means he’s preparing to take that step.

– Yes, but he hasn’t taken it. What if it isn’t for me at all?

– Of course. He’s going to run away and secretly marry his mistress, which is why he’s been keeping the ring among his socks at home…

– What if it isn’t an engagement ring at all? What if it’s a present… for his sister, for instance?

– Have you got a photo?

– Sec… sent.

– Got it… No. That is definitely not for women. It’s beautiful, but too wide and sort of… plain. And the stone isn’t in the middle.

– There are lots of stones.

– I mean, if someone gave me that, I’d accept it, obviously, but I’d only wear it out of respect.

– Stop criticising it, it’s very beautiful. Have you noticed these tiny dark stones making a sort of background, and the larger sparkly ones like little stars?

– Oh, I thought the dark strip was the metal.

– No. Oh, they go all the way round the band.

– Then that is a hell of a lot of stones.

– That’s why I think it’s too fancy for an engagement ring. And the size is sort of… too small.

– Did you take it out of the box?

– Yes.

– Merlin, you’re crossing a line now. Put it back in, shut the box, and tuck it back exactly where you found it.

– These pale stones…

– Diamonds.

– Probably. But they’re arranged so carefully, as if it isn’t random. As if it really is bound up with the stars somehow…

– Stop it, put it back.

– It’s some constellation. Maybe it isn’t Arthur’s ring at all. Maybe one of his friends asked him to hold on to it, or even… Oh. Shit. No! No, no, no. GWEN!

– Merlin, don’t tell me you’ve put it on and now you can’t get it off.

– Yes. It won’t come off.

– Stop panicking, take a deep breath, relax your fingers.

– They’re not relaxing. They’ve gone stiff as sticks!

– Try soap.

– (sound of running water)… No. Gwen, the stupid soap isn’t helping!

– Congratulations.

– On what? On the fact that I’ll be single by tonight if I don’t get this bloody ring off? Arthur will be home in twenty minutes. He’ll kill me.

– On the fact that in half an hour you’ll either be engaged, or you’ll be seeing your best friend. Gwaine’s on shift today, isn’t he?

– Can I come down to you and hide, and then we can go to Gwaine together? We’ll pretend you felt ill and I’m helping?

– No, Merls, I’m in the office today. I’ll be here for another couple of hours. So you’ll have to face the fate you’re bound for.

– Gwen!

– I have to run, love. Message me later and tell me how it all ended.

***

Half an hour later, a WhatsApp message arrived.

– I’m engaged! I have a Draco constellation ring and new warm socks. Very fluffy.

[fairedenale]

Headcanon: the Triple Goddess is the real reason Merlin is bad at healing magic (has to actively try and try hard when everything else seems to be oh so natural). She won't let him. We all know if he had that capability, he'd be using it as liberally as he could. He would saved Arthur. Laws don't apply to him (Nimueh gave him the water so it was because of her powers the balance had to be restored; he didn't do that himself. If he was able I have no doubt no one would have died). The Triple Goddess can't have that though. It'd ruin the whole "Future King" part of Arthur's Destiny.

[fairedenale]

You know how Merlin said he's happy to be Arthur's servant until the day he dies? It's still true. He's no longer his servant and a large part of Merlin died with Arthur. His heart, his soul, his prophesied other half. Now he bides his time on earth until he can serve his king again.

[sermerlins]

do you ever think about if arthur had been the one to watch merlin die

like

tHIS IS JUST BECAUSE MERLIN GOT HIT AND HE LOOKS POSITIVELY DEVASTATED

ARTHUR LOVED MERLIN JUST AS MUCH AS MERLIN LOVED HIM AND IM SO UPSET MY GOD

[kateis-cakeis]

That gif and tbh that episode was such a gift because it showed us, in much detail, what happens to Arthur when Merlin comes close to dying and goes missing.

We just have to think about when those rocks fall and Arthur looks like his entire life has just crumbled around him… and then that scream of Merlin’s name…

Anyway then you’ve got an Arthur who will order his knights who have just scoured a forest to scour it again. Who will not even let his uncle say that Merlin is dead, that will not accept a new manservant, that will plan to go out on his own to look for Merlin, who admits he can’t accept that Merlin is gone and that he wont rest till he’s tried to look for him.

And that’s just after Merlin is missing.

Oh and I could mention so many more instances where Arthur will put everything on hold for Merls. Like in 104 or when he wanted to abandon the quest in 402.

Could you imagine if Merlin died? And Arthur had to watch?

Arthur wouldn’t have handled it well. He would try to be strong at first but he would crack pretty fast and Merlin would know this and would probably want him to go to which Arthur would refuse because if Merlin is going to die, he won’t be alone.

And fuck, Arthur would at least have tears in his eyes or would actually be crying the entire time. He would then try to be strong again but then, Merlin is dying would hit him and he’d be set away again.

I don’t think Arthur would be able to compute once Merlin died. He’d be in steadfast denial for a long while. He wouldn’t be able to take it, I don’t think. He wouldn’t move, he wouldn’t do anything. If his whole world crumbled just when he and Merlin got separated, then his whole life would just be dust blowing in the wind if Merlin had died.

[fairedenale]

This is absolutely true. He's emotionally stunted only in the way he has a hard time properly expressing them or getting words out, but he has so many and they are strong. He'd be a "heart on the sleeve" type of person if his father hadn't thrust so many unfair expectations and lessons on him. Merlin and Arthur are ride or die. Merlin at times is Arthur's sanity and responsible for it because he treats Arthur as a human being, not a prince or Pendragon.

[lao-pendragon]

The Arthur’s Dream Guide proudly presented by the Knights of the Round Table

[kateis-cakeis]

I have never seen anything so perfect and amazing in my lifeee

[knighteirian]

Guinevere BBC MERLIN (2008–2012) 1.01 "The Dragon's Call"

[fairedenale]

Them eyes say "look at my lady, she so hot. I get to undress- I mean serve that. Serve her all night every night.

[thefabledpheasant]

During this sequence that’s supposed to feel victorious and like, “yeah things aren’t perfect, but the good guys won today!” Merlin watches Guinevere and Arthur hug intimately and you know what? He looks sad.

He looks like he wishes he could touch Arthur so freely and affectionately. He looks like he’s desperate to be seen for everything he is and everything he’s done for him. He looks like he’s accepting he’ll never be with Arthur like that and it’s breaking his heart.

That man is deeply in love and he can’t do anything about it. He is happy for them because he just wants them to be happy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel like a dagger in his heart.

It reminds me of that quote from Sherlock, “you look sad when you think he can’t see you”

[sarascamander]

Merlin fanfic "The Impersonated Self" on ao3 gotta be the most depressing magic reveal fic ever. Arthur and the other knew and accepted him, Morgana and Mordred dead, changes was about to happen... By all right everything was good but it's so depressing. Characters died within the first two chapters and it's so sad and Merlin was struggling with extreme self loathing and myriads other psychological and physical issues he have, Arthur was trying his damnest best but he was so tired and he can't seem to get anything right especially his footing with Merlin and the past that keep haunting him. Merlin and Arthur relationship is simultaneously fragile and strong like they're on a precarious balance that could tip to one side at any moment.

The overall tone seemed so bleak but always with a ray of hope, however small. I was crying every chapter (and mind you I'm only at chapter 3). It's so haunting and real and I love it and I can't wait for it to tear me a part by the end of it 😭. And I love Merlin and Arthur characteristics here. They're both unraveling in their own way, Merlin more so. Arthur trying to pick up the pieces but know there were part he broke himself, knowingly. I feel SO SAD for Arthur. You can feel his emotional exhaustion, his grief and guilt and literally everything and he's going to break your heart. I love him sm in this god help.

I could ramble more lol but it's so good everyone please read it 😭.

[koffeinkaos]

Some evil sorcerer after magically appearing in the throne room: Arthur Pendragon, this was a long time coming. You don't remember me, do you?

One of the guard tries to get a hold of the guy but his hand just goes through him like he was made of smoke.

Arthur: Who are you and what do you want

The sorcerer: Six years ago you and your knights were responsible for the death of my entire family. You murdered them. They were good innocent people. Their blood is on your hands.

Gwen next to Arthur: We understand your anger and your grief. My father was executed too under the magic ban but we lifted it and we're trying to do better. I'm sorry for what happened to your family.

Sorcerer: It doesn't change anything. The Pendragon rule has brought nothing but death and fear. It must end. I spent years following you around, getting to know your dirty secrets. One of them is currently with me and if you don't leave Camelot until midnight I will kill your one true love.

Arthur very confused, looking over to Gwen and the back at the guy: You will never get your hands on Guinevere.

Sorcerer now with a grin: oh I'm not talking about your queen

Now everyone looking around to check if anyone was missing.

Sorcerer exasperated: I am talking about that pretty servant of yours

Arthur: Merlin!? Why the hell do you think I'm in love with him??

Leon huffing: Let me guess, the longing stares?

Sorcerer: uhm yes and the

Leon nodding: the intense flirting, the being attached by the hip?

Gwaine laughing: don't forget the innuendos

Gwen: You keep bringing him to our dates

Sorcerer: I didn't know that, that's fucked up

Gwen: He's grown up with Uther, he's a good man but-

Arthur: But!??

Merlin yelling from somewhere in the background from wherever the sorcerer was hiding: Don't interrupt her you oaf.

Arthur, pouting: Sorry

Gwen: He needs Merlin to help with his emotions. I truly understand and respect the effort and passion on your part but we actually need Merlin to get him to be reasonable.

[koffeinkaos]

Arthur and Merlin never getting a happy ending is fucked up but think about Gwen. That woman lost her mother, her father, her brother, had to watch her best friend not only resent her but slowly lose her mind and turn evil. She lost her first love and her husband. She was imprisoned, tortured, enchanted and exiled. Uther planned to execute her, she had to watch Merlin getting more and more depressed and she somehow not only survived but stayed good and ruled a kingdom in the end? And there are people who hate her wdym omg