Thought that won't leave my brain at the moment, even though I must be doing other things.
What if Merlin never goes to Camelot initially?
Perhaps he hears through some wayward traveller en route there of how they hate magic, and decides to go literally anywhere else?
Maybe along the way he meets Elyan first, who also has magic? The two bond and befriend each other due to having to hide who they are? Eventually, Elyan mentions he has ties to Camelot, and explains he has an older sister there named Gwen. They decide one day they'll rescue her from it, if possible.
Eventually they come across Gwaine, who is only too happy to join their group. He teaches Merlin how to properly use a sword, and if they all kiss or cuddle sometimes? Well, that's their business.
Some time later, they meet Lancelot, who does want to be a knight of Camelot but gets swept up into their group. Gwaine tries to put him off of it, but Lancelot still wants to one day, so they show up to Camelot all together.
What happens there? Well, Uther could be done away with, because Merlin has no emotional ties to the kingdom, and it would be better off without that tyrant to reign and harm not only the people, but his children. Arthur's still a prat, but now with the weight of the kingdom resting on his shoulders in full he might actually get some real character development (because Uther's death isn't linked to magic at all, funnily enough). Elyan reunites with Gwen, who is suspicious of his friends but decides to stay with Morgana and help rebuild the kingdom. Arwen or Morgwen? You decide. But, Elyan inevitably decides to remain with Gwen.
However, eventually, Merlin and Gwaine leave Camelot together, because by this point they're in love, and wherever Merlin goes, so would Gwaine. Lancelot, having hope that the kingdom will improve, decides to stay behind and help it grow further.
(I am ALSO a Mercelot truther though, so uh, ya know, long distance romantic partners? Lancelot writes Merlin letters and they meet up from time to time? Idk.)
Anyways, I am team Merlin deserves happiness and a life free from being told he should forfeit that for anyone.
