I can’t sleep so I’m going to talk about the term ‘favorite’ historically and why it’s making me lose my mind for merthur (and because I have to link anything I read or watch to them).

Merlin was Arthur’s favorite. There’s no debate really about it and it’s very much canon, because historically, and quoting Wikipedia, “the feelings of the monarch for the favourite ran the gamut from simple faith in the favourite's abilities to various degrees of emotional affection and dependence, and sometimes even encompassed sexual infatuation,” which excluding the last part and even if you don’t ship merthur romantically, it’s Arthur and Merlin’s relationship explained in a sentence. 

Now, hear me out, everyone in Camelot must’ve realized Merlin was Arthur’s favorite at some point. I think it must’ve been common knowledge in s5. So no problem there really, but what about Merlin? He didn’t grow up in Camelot, let alone in court. Uther never had a favorite anything as far as I know, and so it must’ve went over his head completely when he’d hear people describe him as Arthur’s favorite, because he’s Arthur’s favorite what? do they mean favourite servant? favourite friend? Being Merlin, he must’ve had no idea of the political or social ramifications of the title at all and thought it was just something he was called because he was close to Arthur.

I’ve heard people in the fandom talk about visiting people to Camelot being puzzled about Merlin’s station or role, but imagine them being told he was the king’s favourite just off the bat. Merlin doesn’t think much of it, but favourites have historically been envied and loathed by nobility, especially those of higher station than the favorite, because a lot of favourites have historically been from humble or minor backgrounds and have been elevated by royal favour. Many favorites have been assassinated, even had been executed or forced to retire by monarchs due to political pressure. Imagine how Merlin who probably never wanted a higher position in Arthur’s court embracing the title favorite because yes, Arthur is his favourite too, so what if he’s called Arthur’s favourite? and having double the attention on him because of that, because once you’ve been named favourite, there’s no going back. 

But also, Arthur’s reaction hearing people call Merlin his favorite, like he has never thought about it before. Merlin? I mean yeah, he accepted that Merlin is his best friend for life and the best advisor he’d ever have, but his favourite? He’s never given Merlin land or money, but that’s because the idiot wouldn’t accept them. Why would people assume he was Arthur’s favourite? Arthur would have a literal mental breakdown for about a week and then come to the conclusion that he didn’t really care. 

That’s at least until Merlin barges into his chambers one day, face red and panting from running up the stairs after someone finally explained to him what being a king’s favourite actually means and Merlin just being horrified because he wasn’t a bootlicker and because he was going to kill Arthur and then everyone’ll see who’s really the clotpole’s favourite, but then Arthur himself starts blushing and avoiding Merlin’s eyes and says he had nothing to do with it, that people assumed and he never corrected them because well, you are my favourite, aren’t you?

and now it’s Merlin who’s speechless, because yes, he was, wasn’t he? Arthur was his favourite as well, so what’s changed? 

and I have no idea where I’m going with this but Merlin as Arthur’s favorite owns my entire heart 🥺

things I read about favorites that I love and have reminded me of merthur:

favorites have been compared to mushrooms because they would spring up suddenly overnight (and now I’m imagining Merlin hearing people calling him a mushroom and just losing his mind because what the hell arthur).

“Like favourites/ Made proud by Princes" Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing.

“One who stands unduly high in the favour of a prince,” the definition of a favourite according to the Oxford English Dictionary.