Comment (possible spoiler):
This fic made me cry more than I thought it would. they were not tears of sadness, it was an emptiness that enveloped me that I almost thought Merlin had made a place for himself in me. It was a perfect and simple way to narrate each emotion, it was really clarifying.That Gwen gave her perspective on more than one occasion was also very good decision , no one else like her to give a very human objectivity (as ironic as that may be). I'll admit that I'm left wondering what happened to her? What is her life like?A part of me thought [...]
We don't give enough importance to that Merlin and Gwen friendship lately and it's a shame because canon stole them from us in the last seasons and it would be up to us The task of honoring them, But there are almost no more of those fics, it's good that I found this fic now to give freshness to that platonic ship
I love that no one pressured Merlin to forgive or accept Arthur, there's a bad habit of characters getting involved in that aspect. For some reason we romanticize forgiveness too much as the only way to heal without understanding that sometimes you have to heal first to decide IF YOU WANT TO OR NOT (it is valid not to forgive) FORGIVE.
I love that Arthur does seem to mature in some ways.His reason for doing what he did is valid and I still didn't give a damn, no reason would really be justifiable, so all that remains is to evaluate him for what he did after that.It was noted that he was a much more thoughtful person because he did not use brute metaphorical force to impose his wishes. Sometimes he is portrayed as someone that if he wants forgiveness,He will do whatever it takes to get it.The reality is that you should show said change and growth regardless of whether you are forgiven or not, that was exactly what Arthur did in this fic, applause!
Gwaine and Elyan leaving with their respective families is so canon! (Gwaine and Merlin are two kindred spirits regardless of the status of their relationship) Even if they travel anywhere, they always come back home.
Merlin also grew so much my poor baby, regardless of this soul thing He will canonically never be the Merlin he was originally, Add this up and I imagine he must be carrying some very dark insecurities about himself and his relationship with Arthur until old age or until death It's painful, but this fic portrays him as someone very wise because of all his pain so I'm sure he'll get through it.
This fic has very magical writing! Thank you for writing it!
Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen & Merlin (Merlin), Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin) Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Psychological Torture, Aftermath of Torture, Trauma, Arthur Pendragon Finds Out About Merlin's Magic (Merlin), Post-Magic Reveal, And it goes Badly, Soul Bond, Hurt Merlin (Merlin), merlin whump, Protective Gwen (Merlin), Angst with a Happy Ending, Getting Together, Forgiveness, Complicated Relationships, Love Confessions, Soft Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), once he's grown past the whole awful violator of souls thing Summary:
Every night it haunted Gwen’s dreams until they warped into a nightmarish memory. Arthur, locking Merlin in a cold iron collar like he was a rabid animal. Gaius rushing into the dungeons, Gwen chasing after him. Merlin, screaming and pleading with Arthur to have mercy, as the Prince had carved every dream, every hope, every fear, every shame, every joy—
Out of his own soulmate.
