Entity Writes Merlin - Tumblr Posts

Desperately want to read a merthur fic where instead of everybody knowing they love each other and are practically married before they do cause they're so obviously and sickeningly in love- nobody knows they're in love and are completely blindsided that after the week of mourning is over for Uther that Arthur repeals the ban on magic (with very thorough laws to replace discrimination and add protection) and declare Merlin as King Consort and Court Sorceror (they have been dating since a few months after they met and Merlin told him everything after their first kiss)- everyone is flabbergasted and NO ONE saw it coming they thought they were completely platonic best friends and they just shrug "we aren't really into pda and it's really nobodies business but our own ❤️"

Mergwenthur prompt:

We all know Gwen was able to break the spell of Athur's with a true loves kiss. Ergo, it is easy to say that Gwen is Arthur's true love.

HOWEVER, imagine that through a tragic event (maybe sleeping beauty curse?)- we discover that Arthur isn't *Gwens* true love. And I know what your thinking, 'is it lancelot?'- NO. Who was the man she fell in love with practically as soon as she saw him? MERLIN. Merlin! Is Gwen's true love- oh but oh the angst- tragedy oh no- Arthur can't believe his wife's true love is his best friend when now MERLIN needs a true loves kiss (could be anything I feel like he's enchanted at least once a week) and we don't even need to guess (even if Arthur does smh) about who HIS true love is.

So, through a series of unfortunate events they stand around awkwardly as they realize that Gwen is Arthur's true love. Arthur is Merlin's true love. And Merlin is Gwen's true love. Perfect triangle.

And they all live happily ever after ❤️

QPR!Mergana Prompt:

Blah blah merlin reveals his magic earlier they figure out how to defeat Morgana without killing her blah blah she's redeemed even though her and Merlin are still like HIGHLY suspicious of each other and everyone thinks that either one of them would kill the other at any given moment if given the choice.

The council refuses to allow Morgana to be placed third in line for the crown after the king and queen because 'she'll kill them and then take the thrown legally why on earth would we agree to that?'. Which Arthur and Gwen are annoyed at cause she's redeemed! Have some faith smh

Meanwhile the council is looking beside them where Morgana and Merlin are glaring at each other like theyre about to start civil war all over again cause Morgana 'accidently' threw some hummus in his hair and Merlin 'accidently' spilt some of his wine on her dress and should someone get between that?

But I digress. Someone says 'if she marrys someone of suitable nature to rule *with* her in case the king and queen are dead or otherwise unable to rule, then we can probably agree with it' and everyone sits back and is like damn yeah that's so true random lord nobody cares about

But Arthur of course who found HIS true love (and is now a feminist, good job Gwen and Merlin!) Looks at his sister like 🥺 I'd never force you to marry 🥺 is there anybody you'd be happy to marry? 🥺 if not we can try to argue for something else? 🥺

And Morgana bored as hell, twirling a knife around, but with not a single slick of hesitation is like, 'Merlin.'

And everyone's eyes widen in shock while Merlin uses magic to turn the knife into a well known thorned purple flower (ouch), responds, again without a single slick of hesitation, 'Yeah, sure.'

And jaws drop.

Arthur and Gwen, both on the same page of absolute confusion are like 'what' cause neither of them have seen either of their best friends show any sort of attraction towards the other (and even though they ignore their hostile interactions cause neither of them have been hurt... permanently since she came back). They look at each other like 'did we miss something? Are they together? Is all this hostility some sort of foreplay?)

It is *not* foreplay.

But to understand we'd have to go back to when Morgana and Merlin were friends. You know, when they both were happy and hopeful for a better future.

Because they were *friends*. And even though maybe they weren't *best friends* because Morgana had Gwen and Merlin had Arthur, they were still close! And they still cared for each other and talked about things that they couldn't really talk to their other friends about!

And one of those things is that Morgana doesn't think she'd ever want to have sex. Ever. Like she is repulsed by the idea, girl or boy. And the idea of being married off? And being forced to have an heir she doesn't want? With someone she probably doesn't even like?

Well. That scares the fuck out of her.

And she shares this with Merlin who of course holds her hand because both of them are generally emotionally healthy at the time with physically affection and he shares that he doesn't really care for the idea of sex either. That he isn't completely repulsed by it and wouldn't mind doing it with someone he loved to make them happy but that he doesn't really see them importance of it and what all the fuss is about and that she isn't 'broken' or whatever else she believes and they cry and hug and it's nice and friendly.

They have many conversations where this comes up, a knight will make a dirty joke within hearing range and they'll look to each other across the room to make an 'ick' face before both holding back laughs.

They'll talk about how to respond Gwen and Arthur practically undressing each other with their eyes with equal disgust and fondness.

Maybe Merlin even tells her of Freya and how he thinks he might have loved her and how he doesn't think he wants to again because it took all this time to even maybe like someone romantically and it didn't end well and even though he hears everyone crave it he thinks well maybe he was in love with the idea of loving someone and having someone by his side more than he loved her and does that make him wrong somehow?

And this time it's Morgana's turn to say 'no it's not wrong!' Because she's never understood why her friendship with Gwen and him were supposed to be 'less' than whatever hypothetical romance she'll be forced to have with a man. Because everyone around them always say 'it's like friendship but more' when describing how they fell in love and it makes her stomach turn because why is one love more than another? Can't they both be important? Why is it more and why can't it just be different?

And she says that she thought it was just because she couldn't stand the idea of having sex with someone so she assumed that was why she's never had the feeling of butterflies in her stomach but she goes on with 'if you're wrong then so am I, but since you said I'm not broken then neither are you'.

And they hug and maybe they'll joke around and kiss each other on the hands to show intimacy between friends and neither of them are worried about how it could be misconstrued because they both know there's nothing romantic or sexual about it and they just smile happily.

And maybe Merlin will give her flowers because he knows she likes the purple ones even though they're thorned and maybe she'll show him how to make it into a crown and put it on him just as he puts one on her because well neither of them will be crowned because well he's just a servant and she's just a ward but that doesn't matter in Morganas room while they giggle like peasants and dance like royalty.

Not every talk is as kind as others and especially as Morganas magic gets stronger she gets more and more distant because well Merlin never thought she was broken before but well everyone has a line right?

But one night when he snuck in, he had a rough day where he almost died again and he can't tell anybody (shed also just woken up from another nightmare) so he goes to his friend and she knows he doesn't want to talk about it from the ruffle of his eyebrows (and she doesnt want to talk about it, he can tell from the slightest downward frown) so they lay on the bed and she offers her hand which he takes and they hold each other tight and curl up to share warmth with their hands held between them and neither of them can sleep but sharing this is enough for now.

And maybe- it's been a few minutes or a few hours they're not sure but the sun hasn't risen yet so when Merlin begins to talk it has nothing to do with what's bothering either of them at the moment but both of them love plans and ideas so when he says, 'if one day you are betrothed against your wishes, we could get married instead. Then neither of us would have to worry about being with someone who doesn't understand because I trust you not to take what I don't want to give and I hope you trust me for the same.'

And maybe Merlin hasn't told her about his magic because he's scared and isn't sure and maybe Morgana won't tell him about the dream (nightmare) she just had about a sister because she doesn't think he'd understand but sometimes trusting someone more than anyone else doesn't equal telling them every single thing about yourself even if it hurts to discover it after.

So when Morgana says 'well what lf they try to hurt you for it? What if they think you've enchanted me or something else just as silly. You know how Uther is.'

And they both think 'I fear him more than you know and I'd never wish you harm.'

But Merlin just smiles the tiniest smile with the hint of a dimple that always makes Morgana smile back when she sees it and says, 'Well, we'll protect each other won't we? In sickness and in health?'

And later, much much later, Merlin will give her a cup of tea and end up choosing the lives of thousands of people over her not only cause it was the right thing to do but also because he thought that's what *she* would have wanted too once upon a time when they kissed each other's hands.

And even later than that she will leave him chained up and for certain death on the side of her sister not only cause she thought he betrayed her and thought she was broken after all but also because she doesn't understand why he wouldn't support her birthright even after placing a crown on each other's head while giggling and dancing.

But for that moment in bed before anything terrible happens between then with hands entwined she snorts a little before they both grin. They stare at each other as if measuring the earnestness in each other's eyes before their smiles gentle.

'Promise?' Morgana asks. Because even though she's never been a damsel in distress who needs a prince to save her, the idea of having someone by her side... and that person being someone she trusts is something she's never allowed herself.

But of course Merlin just squeezes their hands tightly like an oath all on its own, 'I promise,' because even though he'll never be a knight, he doesn't need a sword to be there for someone he cares about.

So they smile at each other with love. Not a love that's 'more' than friendship, but they both think separately that maybe it is a little different than their love for Gwen and Arthur even if it isn't the same different kind of love between lovers.

And maybe they fall asleep like that with smiles on their faces before waking up just as dawn hits where they will pull away and Merlin will kiss her on the forehead just as she kisses him on the cheek and they will hug and go their separate ways just before Gwen comes bustling in to begin her servant work for the day. Surprised her Lady is smiling, she asks happily, 'No nightmare?'

And Morgana looks up in surprise, before smiling gently in a way that Gwen can't quite decipher, 'Oh I didn't dream at all.'

And they'll smile at each other and later at dinner she'll stick her tongue out at Merlin behind Uther and Arthur's back when they talk about the next princess for Arthur to woo and even though later it will not be well between then and even later than that it will be even worse-

Eventually they end up in the council room where there are talks about Morgana being crown princess if she is betrothed. And her brother and best friend look at her with worry in their eyes because they'd never wish her to do something against her will but for the briefest of moments, so quick only Merlin would notice, she looks down at the purple wine stain on her dress and thinks about the purple flower crown that was placed gently upon her head and says calmly, assuredly, 'Merlin' as her choice. Because hadn't she already chosen so many years ago?

And his eyes may only flicker towards her, but she only needs to look at her knife transform into a thorned purple flower, thorns just missing her hand, for her to know he's remembering the same moments as her.

'Yeah, sure.'

And maybe everyone thinks they were hiding some sort of torrid romance from them, or that they're crazy, or even that all their hostility is some sort of foreplay for hate sex of some sort.

But they don't know about the long talks they shared while laying on the ground side by side and kisses on each other's hands and flower crowns and giggles and dancing and-

They don't know how it feels to kill and be killed by someone you promised to protect and were promised to be protected by.

They don't know how it feels to go into a battle to the death with someone and wake up to see a glare on their face while their hand is entwined with yours.

So maybe the council will murmur about how the court sorceror would never let her kill for the crown and maybe Arthur and Gwen will murmur worriedly to each other about if this is a good idea? And did they miss something?

And maybe he'll trip her so she falls when she stands up so she knocks the leg of his chair so he falls with her and maybe both of them were *somehow* cushioned so it's an annoyance and not a bruise.

Just as they've always been physical with their affection (it's so important to share how you feel), they try to be emotionally healthy and share their disdain too (best not to bottle it up).

Because, well, even though she'd never take a cup of tea from him and he flinches when he sees her near some chains- when a certain song comes on well they must share a dance, don't they? And if they see some purple flowers, well, flower crowns just must be made- it'd be wrong not to.

And well, if they're married, it's quite normal for them to entwine their hands while they sleep dreamless and warm even if he wakes up with a scratchy pillow and she wakes up with hers covered in slime.

After all, what is love without some pain? And truly, love and hatred are but a slippery slope.

A promise is a promise after all.

Merlin au where nobody (not even lancelot) finds out about merlin having magic bc merlin is actually really good at using his inside voice and also because he isn't so so so anxious about being *revealed*.

Why is he not anxious you ask?

Because he isn't scared, he's embarrassed.

Merlin goes through like a decade of secrecy and eventually he like finally awkwardly tells Arthur before the final battle cause you know he can help and stuff and Arthur is just completely flabbergasted before becoming upset and distraught,

"why didn't you tell me? You don't trust me?"

And Merlin has to stand there awkwardly and be like, "I'm sorry I literally just didn't know how to bring it up. Like at the beginning I was like well... I just didn't know you that well right? And then I like tried to bring it up in conversation but I got interrupted a few times... which like... embarrassing, and then you were all like, 'urgh magic is evil', and then it just felt awkward bringing it up you know? And then it had been a few years and I was woah I can't say anything NOW cause like it's been too long? I missed my chance and ugh this is so embarrassing!"

And he's like blushing and rubbing the back of his neck and Arthur just stands there with growing disbelief and resignation (and ofc some fondness) as he realizes for the millionth time that merlin is a fucking idiot.

You telling me I can't kiss my superior officer straight on the lips when they do a good job? Fuck off

Never actually watched merlin BBC and just skipped to the fanfiction and I genuinely thought lancelot was black for like hundreds of fics before I saw a picture of him on Tumblr? After some soul searching I've realized it's cause Lancelot was black in once upon a time and i just connected connections that don't exist hdosjsosjd he's still pretty! But boy he looks nothing like my imagination

BAMF Hunith

Hunith may not be a witch born with magic, but she seems like the kind of mother who would do anything for her child, including teach him anything he possibly wants to understand-

This includes learning to read and write despite how most other peasants don't have those abilities. This includes learning how to sew and cook and clean and I bet it would include learning to track and hunt. And I bet if she had the ability- Hunith would probably learn magic herself if she thought it would help her help Merlin how to control it and be safer.

So here's an AU: Hunith becomes a powerful and dedicated sorcereress who's able to protect herself and her child all because she wanted to help him learn (and also took cues from merlin himself without realizing that he is especially stronger than most other sorcerers cause yknow: limitations are mostly in the mind and if she thinks it's normal to be doing something incredibly not normal then what would stop her?)

Magic reveal prompt:

Wherein Yada Yada they're in the forest and Merlin saves their lives and his magic is revealed and you know he's kind of stressed and about to cry and Arthur is obv pissed as hell and like yelling at him and shit but then one of the knights (gwaine probably) is like "Hey! Leave merlin alone! There's nothing wrong with him having magic! And-"

Only to be cut off by Merlin whose now pissed as hell, "Shut up!! It's not ABOUT the magic! I know he doesn't give a shit about the magic! Who fucking cares about the goddamn magic?!"

And all the knights are confused cause they don't GET it!! Cause even pissed Arthur very clearly agrees with what merlin just said cause its not about the magic it's about how Arthur thinks merlin doesn't trust him and merlin just needs a few moments to calm down so he can explain it was never about trust but about a million other things (the dragon and gaius' words of over-caution and his whole life hiding and making Arthur choose between him and the laws and his guilt for hiding it for this long as is and for the choices he's made in name of Arthur's safety and-) and it's never been about the magic and they both know that!

Magic reveal in a terrible situation except whenever it's over and Merlin saved Arthur and the knights hes so tired and upset and angry and overwhelmed and he just sort of turns to denial and

"No." Merlin shakes his head slowly and then more sure.

Everyone looks at him appalled but before Arthur can even open his mouth, he's interrupted by tiny nervous giggles from Merlin rocking back and forth in front of them before stopping abruptly and looking up determinedly.

"No. You all-" he points at the knights (who only flinch a little thank you), "-are you going to pretend you never saw that and then- then!" Merlin says a little hysterically pointing at Arthur now who can't help but take a step back and the look in his eyes.

"You! Are going to wait and then when the time is RIGHT just like I PLANNED I will tell you I have magic! And it will be the perfect moment! And it'll be when I'm ready and I'll tell you everything and it'll be SAFE and and- and you'll be upset but you'll understand and this is just-" Merlin screams a little to himself making everyone's eyes widen.

Merlin looks down with his eyes closed and takes a long breath.

He looks up at them looking like he's about to cry before saying desperately in a small voice, "You guys didn't see anything, right?"

Silence greets him before Gwaine cuts in, in a much less boisterous voice than usual, "I didn't see anything." Looking at the knights beside him, he elbows Elyan in the ribs causing a grunt.

Wincing at the pain, "I don't know what you're talking about." Elyan looks at the others with a very obvious look of 'your turn'.

Percival shrugs solemnly, "I was blinded by the sun."

Leon looks hesitantly over to Arthur before straightening his shoulders, "It must have been a trick of the light."

Merlin's shoulders relax a little as he nods to himself before everyone looks to Arthur.

Arthur looks at his knights and then back to his trembling manservant before looking to the ground and then to the sky.

"We were simply lucky as we always are."

Merlin breaths and everyone ignores the tears falling down his cheek as he turns around.

"I have a secret."

Arthur looks up from a report and glances across the room absentmindedly to Merlin holding a dagger he was polishing in his lap as he watches Arthur with a tilt of his head.

Arthur huffs a laugh, "Is it that you're secretly a girl?"

Merlin's lips tick upward for just a moment before continuing his stare.

Arthur watches him for a few moments, and then puts his quill down.

"You have a secret." Arthur repeats seriously.

Merlin just smiles, a small one, "I have a secret. It's an important one. But I can't tell you the secret. And I can't tell you why I can't tell you."

Arthur squints his eyes as Merlin looks down to keep polishing.

"Are you in danger?"

Merlin pauses to think which makes Arthur clench his fists in worry, not that he'd say that.

"...I suppose," He says slowly, thinking over his words, "But it's to my understanding- at this time at least -that it's no more or less dangerous for me whether you know or not. I do think it may be more dangerous for you if you know though."

Arthur hums and watches Merlin's face but sees nothing but earnestness as they meet eyes across the room.

"And why do you tell me this?"

Merlin just smiles again, but bigger this time, "I've decided I trust you with it. I trusted you before of course," he add hurriedly as if Arthur would ever think otherwise,

"But I just realized that I trust you with this, too. And this is something I've never trusted anyone enough to share it with- before I mean. And if it comes up, well, I'd rather be able to tell you that I can't tell you then to lie to you. So, this is me telling you there's a secret."

Arthur looks thoughtfully before raising one eyebrow along with a ghost of a smirk on his face, "So you have a secret you can't tell me. But you trust me with it. When do I get to hear the secret?"

Merlin leans his head on his hand as he looks sideways at him impishly, "I will tell you no lie if you ask."

Arthur hears the unspoken words bright as day:

I'm not going to say anything by myself cause I don't think it's time yet, but I will tell you the truth regardless if you so choose.

Arthur hums to himself before nodding once and then twice, ignoring the giddiness in his heart.

Picking up his quill again, he says, "You missed a spot," so he can hear his manservant squawk from across the room, "I'm not finished yet, you prat!"

They meet gazes one more time with matching fire in their eyes and grins on their faces before resuming their activities.

It's nice to be trusted.

Magical Reveal Sequel: Here

Absolutely lovely absolutely adore omg <333

Oblivious character, but oblivious in the way that they're very self aware about their own feelings and just assumes that they're an open book and that everyone knows exactly how they feel even though nobody can tell shit

Like something comes up and they're just soo frustrated because "because i'm in love with you?!? Obviously?!??"

And every single mother fucker around including the person they're in love with is like "!?!?!?!? YOU ARE?!?!?!?!"

What if they radio rebel'd uther? What would he do?? kill everyone in the whole kingdom????

Merlin to Gwen: will you do me the honor of being my sister in law?

Morgana, whispering to Arthur: is he trying to marry Elyan?

Arthur, whispering to Morgana: he better fucking not

Gwen to Merlin, completely in tune: yes! I can't wait for us to be family!!

Arthur, now frantically whispering to Morgana: do you have any idea what's going on? who's getting married? What's happening????

Morgana, whispering back just as frazzled: I have no fucking clue- oh shit they're walking towards us- act natural

Merlin, to Arthur: :)

Gwen, to Morgana: :)

Arthur and Morgana making quick panicked side eyes to each other: 👁👄👁

Morgana, trying to be casual confident girlboss: congrats! Who's getting married? Haha

Gwen and Merlin, glancing to each other with barely there smirks: well we are I suppose! Let's go!

*takes the arms of their best friends/crushes*

Gwen, seductively to Morgana: so I'm thinking at our wedding we should go with reds and purples, God you look amazing in purple

Morgana: *bluescreens*

Merlin, nonchalantly hanging onto Arthur's side like Arthur isn't already about to have a heart attack, getting really close to his face: so if I'm technically the Druid King, our wedding- yours and mine of course- will have to be a mix of cultures. I'm sure everyone will understand.

Arthur: ou- our? Um our? Ou- *bluescreens*

Gwen and Merlin: *high five* efficiency!

Sequel to "I Have A Secret"

When the magical creature finally dropped, everything paused for the tiniest of moments.

Well, paused for Merlin who had a small moment to breath in relief that he stopped the creature right before it was about to swipe Arthur with a fatal blow.

Sir Kay, on the other hand, who saw the incriminating golden eyes like everyone else in the small group, didn't pause at all, turned his body towards Merlin already preparing to swipe his sword.

"No!" Gwaine yells from too far away.

Ducking quickly, barely missing the sharp edge, Merlin doesn't even stutter before running to Arthur and then hiding behind him while breathing heavily as he stands back to back with the prince while curling his hands into the cloth of the blonde's breeches.

Arthur finally blinks and seems to unfreeze from where he'd stood since he'd almost been killed by the beast and then saved by his apparently magical manservant.

"Huh."

He surveys the situation.

Merlin has magic and is currently hiding behind him. Sir Leon is looking at them unsure, Sir Gwaine looks like he's ready to kill Sir Kay and also maybe him or Merlin by the way he keeps looking at them.

Feeling the trembling warmth pressed against his back, he very calmly lifts his sword.

"Gentleman. What seems to be the problem?"

He pointedly keeps his sword up in a way that can be used in any direction, but Sir Kay gives him an appalled look anyways, but Leon stares at him for a moment before nodding to himself and putting his sword down.

Sir Gwaine on the other hand, looks at Merlin in frantic worry, looking like he wants to start inching forward.

Arthur feels like Gwaine is probably safe but he doesn't know for sure, so he gives Gwaine a Look anyway which... obviously gives him a scathing glare back.

"Your Highness," Sir Kay looks at him with worry and Merlin (still behind him) with anger, "He's a sorcerer."

Everyone seems to hold their breath in front of him, but Arthur just looks at them for a few more seconds in blankness.

Did they think he just... didn't notice? He squints his eyes.

Looking side to side, Arthur just deadpans, "I mean... yeah. I thought that was pretty obvious with the golden eyes and yelling a spell two seconds ago."

Merlin snorts behind him. The hands still entwined with his breeches seem to loosen as Arthur feels the back against his own start breathing easier.

Arthur's lips try to trick upward, but he tries to keep them down.

Gwaine, still quite clearly running on adrenaline, looks back and forth between them before landing on Merlin, "Merls, are you sure you want to be standing there, right now?"

They both look at him with tilted heads.

Merlin hesitantly replies, "Um... yes?"

His hands squeeze for just a moment, making Arthur frown at Gwaine.

Gwaine, just squints his eyes, before pressing forward, "And you're not scared? You're okay?"

Blinking owlishly, "Uh. I mean. I was scared that Arthur was going to die? And I guess I was scared of Sir Kay for a second. But... I'm doing pretty good..." There's a small pause, "...How are you?"

Sir Leon lets out an uncharacteristic snort before covering his mouth as he tries to hold back a laugh to himself.

Gwaine sputters, "I meant scared of the Princess!"

They, again, both look at him in confusion, "Arthur? Why would I be scared of Arthur?"

Sir Kay and Gwaine both seem to bluster in the same way (for opposite reasons?)

"Cause he's the prince!"

"He's just Arthur."

Arthur makes an offended face, "I'm not JUST anything, Merlin!"

Merlin finally lets go so he can watch him as he smirks, "Oh yeah? What do you want to be instead of Arthur then? I guess if we count a few minutes ago, you can be a damsel in distress instead~"

Arthur looks back at him with a sputter, "You can't talk to me like that! I'll put you in the stocks!"

Merlin just smiles at him mischievously, "Oh of course, Sire. My apologies, Sire. Just maybe you should double check your next stew for vermin instead of bird."

"If you put rats in my stew one more time, I'll make you eat it."

"-oh, going on a diet, Sire? I've been telling you you need it..."

Arthur huffs to himself, putting one hand on his hip while pointing his sword to Merlin with his other, dramatically.

The others skip a breath.

Merlin just rolls his eyes with a bored look like it's happened a million times. (It has)

"I'm going to have the kitchens poison your next meal!"

"Not if I do yours first!"

"At least then I'll have a break from all your prattling!"

Merlin gasps in mock offense as he takes a staggering step back, "How dare you! What about the children?"

Arthur snorts so loud, he drops his sword as he covers his mouth wheezing as Merlin raises his arm in victory and grins like he won something.

"Who are the children?"

Sir Kay interrupts with a disbelieving huff, "Sire. Sorcerer. Against the law."

Arthur looks at him like he's stupid, even though he's the one who looks a little stupid still bent over trying to catch his breath, "It's just Merlin."

Gwaine and Leon share a laugh between themselves, now completely calm, used to the bickering.

"And besides, it's really on me. I didn't ask," Arthur shrugs like this makes complete sense to everyone. He goes to pick his sword back up, as Merlin nods and steps behind him to look over his shoulder with his hands entwined behind him.

Arthur pretends he doesn't miss the warmth, but the breath on his neck is a close second.

"Didn't ask what, Sire?" Leon asks curiously, as he and Gwaine seem to lean forward, even as Sir Kay stays stock still like he's rebooting.

Arthur looked up at him a little startled, "Oh. Merlin told me he had a secret ages ago. I just didn't ask, cause he didn't want me to."

"Wait wait wait- he told you he had a secret?" Gwaine guffaws.

Merlin steps forward to lean his chin on Arthur's shoulder as he wraps his arms around Arthur's waist, "Of course! I try to tell Arthur everything. He's my best friend!"

Arthur pretends he isn't blushing, as he hums noncommittally.

The other three trade glances.

Arthur just nods to himself, even as his free hand absentmindedly holds onto one of Merlin's wrists around his wait.

The other three raise their eyebrows.

"Anyways. Obviously, there will be no speaking of this to my Father." He looks up stern and serious for the first time in this entire conversation.

Leon and Gwaine nod happily, while Sir Kay takes a moment, before nodding reluctantly and murmuring to himself, "I'm repressing this as we speak."

Leon looks at Kay with interest, while Gwaine just watches in amusement as Arthur's blush comes crashing back when he visibly realizes he's been gently caressing Merlin's wrist unconsciously.

Merlin just looks at Gwaine's smirk over Arthur's shoulder, before squeezing Arthur's waist once and letting go to start walking beside him, vehemently trying to hide his own blush now, too.

Both of them start continuing their walk back to the citadel, looking away from each other, even as their arms brush against each other with how close they walk.

The other three follows them casually.

Sir Kay blinks, before turning to Leon with a whisper, "Did I miss something? What happened with the beast?"

Leon just looks at him unable to hide how impressed he is with the skill of Repression, making Sir Kay even more confused, belatedly answering the question, "...Prince Arthur killed the beast, of course."

Sir Kay just blinks, "Of course."

Merlin & Gwen Bestfriends

"Uh.... no."

Arthur watches as Merlin's nose wrinkles in confusion before falling into complete confidence regardless of the fact that it's one of the most backwards, stupid responses he has ever given Arthur in their years of friendship.

Which is saying a lot.

Eye twitching, Arthur almost seething, "What the hell do you mean 'um no'," he ends mockingly.

Merlin rolls his eyes before looking back at him with an 'isn't this obvious?' kind of look.

"Gwen tells me everything. And by everything, I mean everything."

Arthur makes a face as if he's not sure what that entails and not sure if he wants to.

"I do the same of course. She knows things about me that you'd only dream about knowing-"

Arthur's face intensifies on what that means and if he wants to know what that means, and also if he should be upset by what that means, and also also by the fact he isn't upset by what that may mean and what that may mean.

Merlin gives him a brief look of pity and amusement, before continuing.

"I heard all the juicy details about Lancelot when they were almost a thing way back. And I've heard all the more juicy details about you."

Arthur's eye twitches. He pretends it isn't from a mix of embarrassment and wild curiosity.

Giving him a fonder, softer look, Merlin finishes with a smile, "I've also heard about how excited she was to marry you for hours into the night. Just last night in fact. So, no. I bet if you asked her right now, she's probably crying or something in immense guilt and will probably say something like 'I don't know what happened, Arthur, I was suddenly there and it was just suddenly happening and I'm so sorry'," Merlin ends in a mystically good impression of Guinevere.

Arthur stares blankly.

Merlin blinks and then looks at him deadpan, "Because she was obviously enchanted. Probably from the bracelet she's wearing that I've never seen before. Probably from the fake Lance that was 'suddenly' revived that doesn't act anything like him. And also you should probably trust your betrothed more instead of thinking the worst of her."

Arthur just blinks for a moment before scowling, "And why didn't you day something half an hour ago?"

Merlin rolls his eyes, "Because Agravaine was there. And as soon as I say something he would have been like 'No, Arthur. Don't you see your manservant is trying to manipulate you? Never trust anyone blah blah blah except me of course. I may have abandoned you for years and only shown up right when you were most vulnerable but trust me! Unlike the others who actually love you of course...'"

Again in a weirdly good impression,

Merlin huffs exasperated as he grabs the rest of the clothes, putting them into a laundry basket, as Arthur just looks at him with eyebrows slowly rising, "And then! You would have been such a prat and started prattling on about you can't trust Gwen even though you've been together for years and know full well that she loves you and would never cheat and- ugh did you seriously stuff your socks under the sofa padding? What's wrong with you?"

Arthur watches as Merlin pulls out a sock from the sofa that's been there for who knows how long in disgust before flinging it into the basket.

Merlin looks up at him and blinks, "Wait what was I talking about?"

Arthur gives him a head ruffle and pretends he doesn't miss the softness of Merlins hair immediately after and walks towards the door, "I'm going to talk to Guinevere now. Bye."

Merlin absently responds in similar and the last thing Arthur sees before closing the door is his manservants face in disgust once again as he finds the other sock.

Well. Maybe he should talk to Guinevere first, after all. And maybe talk to her about some other things, too.

*on a mission*

Character A: *ends up in a situation* okay this person is into some Stuff can someone do some research into bdsm or equivalent?

Character B: *cracks knuckles, no hesitation* well you see- *does an entire VERY specific spiel about the different aspects of bdsm* -and that's about the general idea.

Everyone:

Character A:

Character B:

Character A: *swallows thickly* so um. Any first hand experience?

Character B: *completely stoic* Focus on the mission, A.

Someone should write a story about whoever has the most arrests on their record. Do the guards have to keep record on who gets arrested and why? Is Merlin's record just out there, four pages long in fine print naming every random reason he's been thrown in the dungeons? I imagine they'd start having fun with it eventually lmao

Merlin from Ealdor

Disrespecting the Prince

Disrespecting the Prince

Accused of Sorcery

Disrespecting the Prince

Accused of Theivery

Disrespecting the Prince

Accused of Sorcery

Called a neighboring Lord "a worthless cabbage more annoying than the Prince at dawn"

Disrespecting the Prince

Called the Prince "a desperate whore who wishes he were me" when in the stocks

Disrespecting the Prince

Disrespecting the Prince

Broke out of the Dungeons to serve the Prince and then went back in the dungeons to sleep citing "it's warmer here anyways"

Disrespecting the Prince

Accused of Sorcery

Saved the Prince's life but did it rudely (the prince would not give more details)

Accused of Sorcery

Accused of Sorcery

Accused of Sorcery

Accused of "being the most annoying and useless manservant in the world oh my god can you please shut up for once in your life" (the prince wanted this quoted)

Disrespecting the Prince