#merlin sidhe

[auroraboringaliceinwonderland]

I’ve seen quite a few different takes on how Merlin might’ve gotten his immortality, if it was given to him at all [as opposed to having it since the beginning], and I’ve another take for the pile!

In episode 7 of season 1, we are introduced to the sidhe through Sofia and her father Aulfric. Aulfric is said to have killed another sidhe, and as such he and his daughter had been banned from Avalon into living a mortal life. Neither liked nor wanted this, so the Elders were consulted about how they could return to their kind, their power, and their immortality again.

Aulfric wasn’t permitted to return on account of killing another; however his daughter could return to that life of immortality if she offered up the soul of a mortal prince.

Very specific.

Now, something important to note. “Sidhe” are Irish fairies said to live in hills or fairy mounds. They don’t live in mounds in Merlin of course, however their differences in this versus the folklore are made up for in their similarities — in that they’re of magic kind. And a powerful magic at that.

I think it’s safe, then, to deduce that they’re born with immortality? Or perhaps they’re born in mounds, and move to Avalon at some point where they become immortal? Yes, I might like that idea better.

Point is, at some point, somehow, they’re immortal. And I’ll bet that only those born of magic can be granted said immortality.

Now comes Merlin and Arthur; in the finale. Yes, the very bitter end.

During the finale, Merlin tries to bring Arthur to the lake of Avalon (or rather, the tower amidst it) where he might heal him of his mortal affliction.

Arthur is a mortal prince.

Merlin is a person born of powerful magic.

You see where I’m going with this?

We all know that Arthur dies before/when he arrives at the lake of Avalon (canonically, when they rue in Kilgharrah’s back if I’m not mistaken), and — eventually — Merlin has to send him off.

My point is, what if by sending him off to the lake, he offers Arthur’s souls to the sidhe or the Triple Goddess or whoever is “running” this lake; and thus Merlin is granted immortality.

Meaning that Arthur’s death isn’t only the thing that killed Merlin (metaphorically speaking, but technically that was his other half so—), but is also what made him live [for so damn long].

But I’m not done yet.

Because Arthur is also, technically, born of magic. It makes me wonder what would’ve happened had he been healed. Would he have had to offer up his own soul or else his physical form would perish, and he thus is under the sidhe (or whoever’s) control as part of a new arc after the finale? Would that grant him immortality?; thus making him a Once and Future King different than we know that statement to be?

Would Merlin then remain mortal; or again, was he really immortal all along?

There’s something to be said here about how the magic of sidhe, Avalon, and immortality come into play regardless.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Merlin is so powerful he can slow down time without even realizing it

@tansyuduri @thenerdyalien @samwinjester @cereamicwastelands @himegimiki

- Merlin slowed down during the Black Knight episode and didn’t even realize it. Which is why he was the only one to see Sir Owain stab the knight.

- Merlin used this ability again when the assassin Myror tried to use a spiked lance to stab Arthur during the joust.

- Merlin also likely used it a third time… when he followed Aulfric Tirmawr to the lake of Avalon and allowed his magic to slow down time so he could see the fast moving Sidhe.

One of the things that I find most interesting about this ability and it’s not talked about enough in the fandom… is the different ways in which Merlin can slow down time without a spell.

Most people would think of Merlin slowing down time in the pilot episode, when he slowed Gaius’s descent from the railing after his fall or perhaps when he slowed down the blade thrown at Arthur?

But those are only the beginning.

In the episode, “Excalibur” Merlin accidentally slowed down time during the fight between Sir Owain and the Black knight without even realizing it. He didn’t know he’d done it, until he realized no one had seen the fatal stab wound except him.

In the episode, “The Once and Future Queen” Merlin lets out his magic sweep across the arena and slowed down time in order to see the assassins lance with the deadly spike that slides out.

Yet, on both occasions, no one realized time had slowed.

Even when Merlin slowed down time near the lake of Avalon, the Sidhe (some of the most powerful magical creatures) didn’t sense any change and never suspected his presence.

That’s extremely powerful.

Pages from the book, “Sword and Sorcery”

As Merlin watched, the young knight seized his chance. 'One well-aimed blow!' Arthur called from the stands, and there it was - Owain ran his sword through the Black Knight's chest.

Merlin cheered. But to his amazement, no one else took up the cry. What was wrong?

Hadn't they seen what had happened? And why hadn't the Black Knight fallen?

'Should we tend to his wounds?' Merlin said to Gaius as the Black Knight passed them. It wasn't that he cared if the knight was hurt - but it was part of the rules.

Gaius looked surprised, though. 'Owain didn't land a blow?

'He did, Merlin insisted. 'I saw it - Owain's sword definitely pierced him' He wondered then if he had only seen the blow because of his magical abilities - for him, time could slow down. Usually it was deliberate and he could control it, but perhaps as he had been concentrating so hard it had happened all by itself. Anyway, he knew that he hadn't imagined it.

Pages from the book, “The Sorcerers Curse”

Merlin let the power climb inside him, filling him with fire. The heat rose behind his eyes, giving them a golden glow. Everything slowed as the magic swept across the arena. He saw the spike slide out of the end of the assassin's lance.

Time returned to normal for Merlin. He hurried over to Arthur, catching the prince as he almost fell off his horse, and together they staggered towards the tent.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Question and answers post: (Merlin book edition)

Episode: "The Gates of Avalon" S1, E7

Questions written by @tansyuduri

Books used for reference: “The Sorcerers Curse”, “Sword and Sorcery”, Merlin complete guide and Merlin villains guide.

Question/Thought: Sidhe being so fast Merlin has to slow time to see them is interesting.

Answer taken from the book: They move so fast that only those who possess powerful magical abilities - such as Merlin - are able to observe them.

My answer: 💭 I think Merlin used his ability to slow down time at a glance, much like he did during the fight between Sir Owain and the Black Knight (which is why only Merlin himself saw the initial fatal wound and no one else).

It's also the ability Merlin used while watching the assassin Myror try to stab Arthur with the hidden tip of the spear while jousting and only he himself saw that happening.

Second thought: Those lights in the water do not move as they sidhe do, they are a reflection of what is in Avalon not what is in our world. Avalon is lit with pretty blue crystals.

Book description: When Merlin follows the Sidhe Aulfric Tirmawr to a vast lake, his magic allows him to see what few have ever witnessed - the brightly coloured Sidhe city of Avalon that lies beneath the lake's surface. This is the land of eternal youth - a place that mortals glimpse only in the moment before death.

My answer: 💭 It's very possible that it's lit with blue lights, but given the description of "brightly coloured Sidhe city of Avalon". I think it's more likely that it's a vast amount of different colors.

Question: This fits best with the Irish version of the Celtic otherword in which it is not actually the place where dead people go but a paradise, with yes Eternal youth

Book description: His magic allows him to see what few have ever witnessed - the brightly coloured Sidhe city of Avalon that lies beneath the lake's surface. This is the land of eternal youth - a place that mortals glimpse only in the moment before death.

My thoughts: 💭 It seems like Avalon isn't the place humans go after death, but rather a place specifically designed to be a city/realm for Sidhe.

Likely the only exception to this is Arthur when he dies, because his soul remains in Avalon (rather then the brief moment of Avalon that humans usually get) and he remains stuck there between life and death until his resurrection. Almost like a coma of sorts, since he never fully crosses over.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Question and answers post: (Merlin book edition)

Episode: "The Gates of Avalon" S1, E7

Questions written by @tansyuduri

First question: Arthur is neither weak or feeble so it implies Sidhe might have increased strength. Or she's just referring to him being mortal.

My answer: As a Sidhe - albeit an exiled one - she considered herself naturally superior to humans. She saw the sacrifice of Arthur as a means to an end. To her, humans were lesser creatures; there to be used.

Wording taken straight from the book.

Source: Merlin’s Villains guide

Second question: Even the Sidhe are like you know this Arthur guy? Pretty rad not gonna lie. Either that or they are measuring greatest by fighting skill.. or care for their people or something. WHAT IS THE MEASUREMENT HERE.

Answer: “Sidhe see mortals as lower beings without rights; however, they believe that status in society is a measure of worth (a belief shared by Uther Pendragon), and so despite their low regard for humans, the soul of a prince is seen as a valuable commodity - as the core of a being, the soul is regarded as a powerful charm.”

The Gates of Avalon are closed to the Sidhe Aulfric and Sophia Tirmawi, in punishment for Aulfric taking another Sidhe's life - but the elders agree that Sophia may regain entry to the city in exchange for the soul of a prince, and there is much excitement when the soul of Prince Arthur is offered.

Source: Merlin Complete Guide

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Sidhe and sorcerers use two separate languages that are both known as the “language of magic” and in two separate dialects

Question and answers post: (Merlin book edition).

Episode: "The Gates of Avalon" S1, E7

Questions written by @tansyuduri

Question: Gaius: I found writing like this at the top of Alfrics's staff Its Ogham an anciant script "to hold life and death in your hands" From the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake. We're dealing with the sidhe.

Ogham is an anciant script. It was used in Irland and parts of the UK beween the 5th and 9th centuries. So we have YET ANOTHER possible Irish conection. Also to hold life and death in your hands sounds a lot like the magic over life and death we see later?

Answer: According to the ‘Merlin Complete Guide’ book, Merlin was able to use the Sidhe staff because he commanded it using “the language of magic”.

It says that although Merlin and the Tirmawr’s used different magical dialects, they could all control the Sidhe staff.

So the magic the Sidhe’s use and the language Merlin learned as a sorcerer from Gaius’s magic book are two separate dialects of two languages that are both known as “the language of magic”. 🪄

Likely that means there’s other “languages of magic as well”.

Book description: The staff can only be used by those of a magical nature.

It responds to the commands of its owner, fulfilling the desires expressed in a language of magic - even though the Tirmawrs and Merlin use different magical dialects, they can all control the Sidhe staffs.

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Pages on Sidhe and magical creatures

Tagging: @starrieisdelusional

@tansyuduri

Book references: Merlin Complete Guide, and Merlin Villians book

Question: I'm interested in things like the Sidhe?