Soul Fragment AU Part 1
In essence, it's an AU where Merlin has spent 1500 years completing quests to gather soul fragments and hasten Arthur's return.
I love the idea that Bradley's other characters act as Merlin's objectives, he saves them from their destined tragic ends.
Here is Lord Harekr's story(text from the painting):
The First and Most Unique Fragment
After five long centuries of waiting, Merlin arrived at Jomsborg with Excalibur (now seen as a complete alteration of history). He remained there as his priest for a long time.
With relatively low moral integrity, he emotionally abused and used Merlin for a long time. After nearly causing Merlin's 'death', he was forced to confront his feelings, only to discover that Merlin, who had long been aware of the manipulation, was genuinely willing all along. Deeply shaken, he experienced a profound enlightenment as his humanity and guilt finally surfaced.
In the end, the two left Jomsborg together. He greatly enjoyed intimacy with Merlin.
Because Emrys posed as a messenger of the Norns and inadvertently avoided his initial "death" node, Merlin was left weakened for a long time.
Their home by Avalon belonged only to the two of them, until new fragments emerged in the 15th century.
