wait shapeshifting Merlin? 👀
[flaps hands] so listen. In the series, the only shapeshifting we get to see are when Gwen into a deer, the goblin partially transforms Arthur into a donkey, the curse that turned Freya into a Bastet, the implication that using the wrong cure for a love potion could turn someone into an animal, and of course the aging spells (in combination with some other things—hair growth being one).
Now, in the legends, Merlin is THE shape shifter of the era. He’s supposed to be able to shift himself and others into anything in the plant/animal kingdoms. We don’t get to see this in the show, but given Morgana’s spell on Gwen, we know it’s possible, and we know it would come naturally to Merlin.
Basically we were robbed of shapeshifter!Merlin content. So, the main headcanons for Merlin and shapeshifting usually have to do with the fact that he typically turns/gets turned into a tree in the legends. I’ve researched it a lot and the type of tree varies depending on the source (some say oak, others rowan, sometimes yew). I have a tag specifically relating to tree!Merlin for this very purpose.
Other popular headcanons:
Merlin definitely has a bird alter ego. This could be a raven, as he’s often referred to this way by fandom (people used to say “the raven-haired boy” but it’s become so common that people now call him “the raven” lmao), or some kind of blackbird (Merlin translates to “Merlino” in Italian, which means “little bird” iirc), or the actual falcon called a merlin. But also it would be funny if he chose to be a chicken or something.
Ratlin. Merlin turns himself into a rat and chews through Arthur’s boots. Sometimes Gwen carries him around in her pockets (YES HER DRESS HAS POCKETS) and Gwaine pretends he can understand his squeaks.
Some people headcanon that, as a shapeshifting dragonlord, it’s possible for him to transform into a dragon himself. The theory is awesome and definitely underutilized in fic.
His innate connection to nature means that he can understand/communicate with plants and animals in a way that others can’t. While this isn’t strictly a shapeshifter ability, it goes to show that he’s sensitive to a universal language, which goes hand in hand with the power to transform into anything universally.
Mershroom. Mushroom Merlin. I don’t remember how this one came about (blame @fishoutofcamelot and @witchcraft--and--wizardry) but, hey, it’s only natural. Merlin’s a fun guy. (sorry)
There’s always room for more! Please feel free to popularize the most ridiculous ideas possible. People name their cats and bats after Merlin, so that’s definitely out there. Literally just turn him into a shrubbery.
Hope this is what you were looking for!
